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| LGBT harassment at work widespread, TUC survey suggests | LGBT harassment at work widespread, TUC survey suggests |
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| More than two-thirds of LGBT people in the UK have been sexually harassed at work, a survey suggests. | More than two-thirds of LGBT people in the UK have been sexually harassed at work, a survey suggests. |
| Of 1,151 polled by the Trades Union Congress, 68% said they had experienced harassment, with 42% reporting they had received unwanted comments about their sex life from a colleague. | Of 1,151 polled by the Trades Union Congress, 68% said they had experienced harassment, with 42% reporting they had received unwanted comments about their sex life from a colleague. |
| More than a quarter (27%) said they had received unwelcome sexual advances. | More than a quarter (27%) said they had received unwelcome sexual advances. |
| The government said it was planning to shortly consult on how to strengthen existing laws on harassment. | The government said it was planning to shortly consult on how to strengthen existing laws on harassment. |
| The survey - released on International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia - was conducted by the Trade Union Congress and is believed to be the first major study into LGBT sexual harassment at work in the UK. | The survey - released on International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia - was conducted by the Trade Union Congress and is believed to be the first major study into LGBT sexual harassment at work in the UK. |
| According to the survey, of the 68% who said they had experienced sexual harassment, 66% did not tell their employer, sometimes because they were afraid of being "outed" at work. | |
| The figure of 68% for LGBT people in the TUC's survey compares with a figure of 37% for the wider population in a BBC survey carried out in 2017. | |
| Of the 2,031 British adults questioned for BBC Radio 5 Live 53% of women and 20% of men said they had experienced sexual harassment, ranging from inappropriate comments to actual sexual assaults, at work or a place of study. | |
| 'I haven't returned to the gym' | 'I haven't returned to the gym' |
| Helen describes herself as pansexual. She works as a psychologist and says she regularly experiences sexual harassment at work. | Helen describes herself as pansexual. She works as a psychologist and says she regularly experiences sexual harassment at work. |
| "Recently I was working out in the gym at work and two male colleagues were standing behind me. One said, 'She's such a waste of a woman,' referring to the fact I am in a relationship with a woman. | "Recently I was working out in the gym at work and two male colleagues were standing behind me. One said, 'She's such a waste of a woman,' referring to the fact I am in a relationship with a woman. |
| "When I was leaving the gym one of them asked me, 'Is it because you've never had a real man?' He laughed and then they both wolf-whistled at me. I haven't been back to the work gym since." | "When I was leaving the gym one of them asked me, 'Is it because you've never had a real man?' He laughed and then they both wolf-whistled at me. I haven't been back to the work gym since." |
| Helen said the sexual harassment she has experienced hasn't only been verbal. | Helen said the sexual harassment she has experienced hasn't only been verbal. |
| "I returned home early from my work Christmas party because a colleague asked to see a picture of my partner. | "I returned home early from my work Christmas party because a colleague asked to see a picture of my partner. |
| "When I showed him my Facebook profile picture, he said, 'I would pay £100 to watch you two.' I was really upset and he said, 'Don't be touchy,' and slapped my bum as I walked off." | |
| Helen also has concerns about what reporting sexual harassment would mean for her at work. She said: "I worry what it might do for my reputation and my chances of career progression to report these incidents." | Helen also has concerns about what reporting sexual harassment would mean for her at work. She said: "I worry what it might do for my reputation and my chances of career progression to report these incidents." |
| For some people who have suffered sexual harassment at work, reporting their experiences did not make things easier. | For some people who have suffered sexual harassment at work, reporting their experiences did not make things easier. |
| Toby works in the public sector. He says he has endured years of sexual harassment. | Toby works in the public sector. He says he has endured years of sexual harassment. |
| "After a colleague found out I was gay, he asked me how much I charge as a rent boy. I reported it but nothing came of it. | "After a colleague found out I was gay, he asked me how much I charge as a rent boy. I reported it but nothing came of it. |
| After an investigation into his experiences, Toby's work life impacted his personal life too. | After an investigation into his experiences, Toby's work life impacted his personal life too. |
| "All of my team were preparing for an away day, which was going to involve different sports activities. | "All of my team were preparing for an away day, which was going to involve different sports activities. |
| "A few weeks before the away day, I was pulled into an office and told that the others didn't want to do the activities with me as they'd be uncomfortable about taking showers with me there. | "A few weeks before the away day, I was pulled into an office and told that the others didn't want to do the activities with me as they'd be uncomfortable about taking showers with me there. |
| "I was told I wouldn't be going on the away day. I reported it and I was off work for over a year during the investigation. The investigation outed me to my family." | "I was told I wouldn't be going on the away day. I reported it and I was off work for over a year during the investigation. The investigation outed me to my family." |
| Toby says he went on to try to take his life twice. | Toby says he went on to try to take his life twice. |
| The TUC survey also suggested LGBT women were more likely to experience unwanted touching and sexual assault at work than men. | The TUC survey also suggested LGBT women were more likely to experience unwanted touching and sexual assault at work than men. |
| 'Hidden epidemic' | 'Hidden epidemic' |
| Over a third of the women (35%) surveyed had experienced unwanted touching, for example placing hands on their lower back or knee. One in eight (12%) had been seriously sexually assaulted or raped at work. | Over a third of the women (35%) surveyed had experienced unwanted touching, for example placing hands on their lower back or knee. One in eight (12%) had been seriously sexually assaulted or raped at work. |
| TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said the research revealed a "hidden epidemic" of LGBT abuse. | TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said the research revealed a "hidden epidemic" of LGBT abuse. |
| She said: "In 2019 LGBT people should be safe and supported at work. But instead they're experiencing shockingly high levels of sexual harassment and assault." | She said: "In 2019 LGBT people should be safe and supported at work. But instead they're experiencing shockingly high levels of sexual harassment and assault." |
| "Workplace culture needs to change." | "Workplace culture needs to change." |
| She said the government needed to "change the law to put the responsibility for preventing harassment on employers, not victims". | She said the government needed to "change the law to put the responsibility for preventing harassment on employers, not victims". |
| Laura Russell, director of campaigns, policy and research at Stonewall, said the figures were "shocking", but added: "We know from our own research and this report that LGBT people still face abuse and discrimination in Britain's workplaces." | Laura Russell, director of campaigns, policy and research at Stonewall, said the figures were "shocking", but added: "We know from our own research and this report that LGBT people still face abuse and discrimination in Britain's workplaces." |
| A Government Equalities Office spokesperson said: "It is appalling LGBT people are suffering this harassment. Workplaces should be safe, supportive environments for everybody. | A Government Equalities Office spokesperson said: "It is appalling LGBT people are suffering this harassment. Workplaces should be safe, supportive environments for everybody. |
| "The government will consult shortly on how we can strengthen and clarify existing laws on third-party harassment, as well as making sure employers fully understand their legal responsibility to protect their staff." | "The government will consult shortly on how we can strengthen and clarify existing laws on third-party harassment, as well as making sure employers fully understand their legal responsibility to protect their staff." |