One in 10 NHS workers have experienced sexual harassment at work, the union says

NHS staff are shown pornographic images, offered money for sex and sexually abused at work, a survey of thousands of workers has found.

A survey of more than 12,200 nurses, paramedics, porters and cleaners in the UK found that one in 10 reported unwanted incidents, including being touched or kissed, demands for sex in return for favors and derogatory comments.

The research, carried out by Unison, was published on the first day of the union’s annual health conference in Brighton. Of those who reported adverse incidents, sexual violence was reported by almost three in ten (29%). Half (50%) said they had been laughed at or the target of suggestive gestures, while a quarter (25%) said they had experienced unwanted sexual advances, propositions or requests for sexual favors.

Rude ‘banter’ or ‘jokes’ were the most common problem, with three-fifths of respondents saying they had experienced some form of harassment, the research found.

Despite the serious and even criminal nature of some incidents, half of staff had not reported sexual harassment to their employers, mainly for fear of being seen as ‘over-sensitive’ or feeling that their employer would not act on their complaint.

Incidents included a 911 counselor, himself a sexual abuse survivor, who was regularly harassed on the phone by anonymous callers. The only response from her managers was that she was told this was just part of the job, Unison said.

The union’s general secretary, Christina McAnea, said: “No one should ever have to endure such despicable behaviour, especially not in their workplace. But NHS staff often tolerate this abhorrent abuse and don’t report it because they don’t believe they will be taken seriously. More needs to be done.”

A pathology technician from the Yorkshire and Humberside region told the inquiry: “I have witnessed complete blurring of boundaries, kissing, men grabbing colleagues from behind and pushing themselves against them… I have experienced someone inappropriately touching my arm caressed, someone sneaking up behind me. and stuck their fingers in my ribs, and someone hit my ass.”

A nurse from the West Midlands said: “I have had comments about my hair, the way I look and how much they would like to have sex with me, which reminded me of when I was raped by a male patient at a young age.”

A 111 call handler said: “Quite often members of the public call 111 and try to use it as a sex line. We have a ‘three warnings’ policy before hanging up.”

Commenting on the findings, the Royal College of Nursing’s chief nursing officer, Prof. Nicola Ranger, said: “Employers must do everything they can to protect their staff as they do their jobs and create an environment where they can confidently report incidents and know that they will be taken seriously and all appropriate action will be taken.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said: “Sexual violence or misconduct of any kind is unacceptable and NHS organizations have a responsibility to protect both staff and patients.

“We encourage any staff member who has experienced these issues to report them to the NHS and the police.”