Recent findings from a nationwide survey have highlighted that workplace sexual harassment remains a widespread and underreported problem in Scotland.
Unite the Union surveyed over 6,000 women across the UK, including more than 1,100 respondents from Scotland. The results are nothing short of alarming:
- 37.5% reported experiencing unwanted touching
- 10% said they had been sexually assaulted
- 4.6% had faced sexual coercion
- Shockingly, over 70% of incidents were never reported
These figures paint a stark picture of workplace culture in 2025, a culture where inappropriate behaviour often goes unchallenged, and many employees feel unsupported, disbelieved, or even silenced.
Don’t wait for a complaint to expose gaps in your organisation’s approach. Now is the time to review your culture, policies, and training.
Download our free Managers guide – 10 steps to preventing harassment
More Than Just Policy Failure
Despite the introduction of the Worker Protection Act, which places a legal duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment, the day-to-day reality for many working women is one of silence and vulnerability.
Some report being forced to continue working alongside those who harassed them. Others face career consequences for speaking out. And far too often, organisations still lack the internal processes or training required to respond appropriately.
This is not just a legal issue, it’s a matter of workplace safety, culture, and trust.
Policy Progress -What’s Changing
Encouragingly, change is underway. This month, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner confirmed that the UK Government will move to ban the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to silence victims of workplace harassment.
Under the upcoming Employment Rights Bill, employers will be required to take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment, extending this duty even to incidents involving third parties.
But with new legislation comes responsibility and employers must act now to ensure their policies and cultures are fit for purpose.
The Real Cost of Ignoring Harassment
Just because it isn’t being reported doesn’t mean it isn’t happening.
Failing to address harassment creates far-reaching consequences that extend beyond HR and compliance:
- High turnover: Good employees leave toxic environments
- Falling productivity: Fear, stress, and low morale erode team performance
- Reputational risk: Silence and inaction damage employer brand and public trust
- Unsafe workplaces: When employers fail to intervene, it sends a message of tolerance rather than prevention leaving staff, particularly women, feeling exposed, unsupported, and unsafe in their workplace
- Legal liability: Under new laws, ignorance is no defence
When harassment goes unaddressed, it silently reshapes the culture of an organisation often irreversibly. Employers must take proactive steps to protect both their people and their future.
What Employers Must Do Now
It’s no longer enough to rely on outdated handbooks or tick-box training. Employers need to lead from the front by:
- Reviewing and updating harassment policies.
- Providing training for staff and line managers.
- Creating safe, confidential reporting channels.
- Enforcing a consistent zero-tolerance approach.
- Building a culture of respect, accountability, and openness.
How BeyondHR Can Help
At BeyondHR, we support organisations across Scotland to proactively tackle workplace harassment. Our services include:
- Sexual harassment awareness and prevention training.
- Policy audits and updates to reflect new employment laws.
- Practical HR support to handle sensitive cases with care.
- Guidance on creating safe spaces for reporting and resolution.
Protecting your employees isn’t just good HR practice, it’s a legal and ethical imperative. For more information you can download our Managers guide – 10 steps to preventing harassment
Let’s Build Safer Workplaces Together
If you’re unsure whether your organisation is doing enough to protect employees, now is the time to act. BeyondHR can work with you to ensure your people, policies, and practices meet the standards your workforce and the law expects. Contact us today to find out more.