Action plan announced to tackle sexual harassment in hospitality

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) and UKHospitality have called for a strict zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment in the hospitality industry.

It comes after the release of a jointly produced resource pack, entitled 'Preventing sexual harassment at work: checklist and action plan', which advises businesses to have warning systems and instant removal or banning procedures in place when dealing with customers who behave inappropriately.

The plan also outlines safety and preventative advice for managers, such as avoiding situations where a single member of staff is asked to look after a large group of guests.

Government data revealed that more than half of women and two thirds of LGBTQ people have experienced harassment in the workplace, which can range from verbal abuse to full sexual assault.

The government response to the consultation on sexual harassment in the workplace stated: “There are certainly employment settings in which an employer should be expected to know that there is a higher likelihood of sexual harassment, for example in the hospitality industry.”

EHRC and UKHospitality’s new guidance aims to challenge the perception shared by some managers that harassment culture in the hospitality sector is a ‘normal part of the job’, as was revealed in a 2018 EHRC report.

The action plan defines sexual harassment as “anything that violates someone’s dignity or makes them feel intimidated, degraded, humiliated, offended or like they are in a hostile environment”.

It comes ahead of the Government Equality Hub’s publication of sexual harassment guidance.

Marcial Boo, chief executive of the EHRC, said: “We are determined to crack down on any culture of unacceptable sexual harassment in bars, restaurants or hotels in Britain.

“All employers have a duty of care to their staff. This means that inappropriate behaviour, whether lewd jokes, sexist comments or wandering hands, should never be ‘just part of the job’, even when your customers have consumed alcohol.

“We welcome the co-operation with UKHospitality to produce this guidance to give managers the tools they need to tackle problematic behaviour and protect their staff.”

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said: “There can be no place for sexual harassment within hospitality, so this new checklist and action plan to drive it out of our industry is a very welcome step in the right direction.

“UKHospitality has for some years engaged with employee organisations and the Health and Safety Executive to discuss solutions to safeguard hospitality staff, particularly those in potentially vulnerable roles, but clearly more needs to be done if we’re to rid ourselves of inappropriate and unwanted workplace behaviour.”

*Image: Lopolo / Shutterstock *