UCU: Supporting the end not defend campaign: Preventing workplace sexual harassment

Motion

Motion title: Supporting the end not defend campaign: Preventing workplace sexual harassment

Motion text: Congress notes:
1. Recent survey evidence that 1/3 workers experience workplace sexual
harassment every single year.
2. Currently workplace sexual harassment is regulated by the EHRC, but that
body – unlike the HSE – has no powers around pro-active inspection and
limited powers around enforcement.
Congress believes:
a. That there is an urgent need for legislative reform, alongside increased
campaigning on the issues by trade unions.
Congress resolves:
i. To affiliate to and support the ‘End Not Defend’ campaign by the Workers
Policy Project for:
ii. A Specialist Sexual Harassment Reporting System (SHRS) where workers can
anonymously report to trained advisors, ensuring safe and supported
disclosure.
iii. Enhanced enforcement powers against organisations who fail to protect their
workers from sexual harassment.
iv. Annual published reporting to bring harassment reporting in line with gender
pay gap reporting.
v. Increased time limits for sexual harassment grievances in line with criminal
complaints.