14 February 2018

The Women and Equalities Committee has launched an inquiry into sexual harassment in the workplace with a view to understand how the issue could be tackled more effectively.

Launching a consultation, to which evidence can be submitted until 13 March 2018, the Committee vowed to make recommendations as to how the government and employers can change workplace culture.

The inquiry will look into who the perpetrators are, why sexual harassment happens, how to encourage reporting of the issue, the pros and cons of non-disclosure agreements and how to make prevention of abuse a higher priority.

It will also consider how staff can be better protected from harasment by third parties (such as customers) and how enforcement of current laws can be improved.

Maria Miller, Committee Chair, said: "Over the past few months there have been widespread reports of women's appalling experiences of sexual harassment at work.

"Our recent evidence session with legal experts, employee and employers representatives painted a stark picture.

"Clearly much more needs to be done, both by government and employers: this inquiry is about identifying solutions.

"We need to change workplace culture, keep women safe and provide effective legal remedies.

"We also need to understand whether non-disclosure agreements are being abused by legal experts and employers to cover up wrongdoing."