More than 80% of incidents of sexual harassment at work are not formally reported, according to the survey. And when they are, about one-quarter of complaints result in no adverse consequences for the alleged harasser.

These are among the findings of a comprehensive survey by the Australian Human Rights Commission of about 10,000 employees – the fifth survey of its type since 2003.

This latest survey follows the release of the Respect@Work report on sexual harassment released in 2020, which made 55 recommendations for reform. Most of those recommendations, including placing a positive duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment from occurring, are about to become law following the passage of legislation last week.

How common is sexual harassment?

Very, it seems. Not confined to workplaces, 77% (89% of women and 64% of men) aged 15 or over claim to have been sexually harassed at some stage.

Within workplaces, 19% claim to have been sexually harassed within the past year and 33% within the past five years (41% of women). Those aged under 40 were more likely to have experienced it.

About half of all harassment incidents were repeated, and half of those were still ongoing after more than one year.

The most common types of workplace sexual harassment were: sexually suggestive comments or jokes (27% overall and 40% of women), intrusive questions about private life or physical appearance that made them feel offended (23% overall and 32% of women),  inappropriate staring or leering that made them feel intimidated (19% overall and 30% of women), unwelcome touching, hugging, cornering or kissing (19% overall and 28% of women), and inappropriate physical contact (19% overall and 26% of women). 

What impact did it have?

Two-thirds of people sexually harassed in the workplace said they experienced negative mental health impacts. Other common negative impacts (between 46% and 62%) included decreased job satisfaction, lower self-esteem, and confidence, reduced commitment to their job and employer, reduced productivity, and impacts on general health and wellbeing.  

Who does the harassing?

About three-quarters were sexually harassed by a man, 91% of women and 55% of men.

Men were more likely to have been harassed by more than one person. More than 50% identified the same harasser as having sexually harassed other employees in their workplace.

Trends in reporting harassment

Only 18% of those who had allegedly been harassed made a formal complaint. Less than 30% said that harassment stopped immediately or soon after they did so, but 40% said that no changes occurred. 

Some people who reported alleged harassment suffered negative consequences afterward, including being ostracised, victimised, ignored by co-workers, resigning, or being labelled a “troublemaker”. 

On the other hand, about one-quarter said there were no consequences for the alleged harasser. This was more likely to occur if the person harassed was a woman. 

Communications and training

Employees gave various reasons for not reporting alleged sexual harassment. In order, the main ones were: it was not serious enough, it was easier to stay quiet, others might think they were overreacting, fear that nothing would change, and fear of embarrassment for themselves or other adverse consequences. 

However, about 70% believed that their employer was committed to ensuring a harassment-free work environment, and about half believed their line manager or direct supervisor showed leadership in preventing and responding to sexual harassment. 

About two-thirds believed their employer had a policy covering sexual harassment and about half said it provided assistance with making a complaint about it. However, only 44% said their employer provided well-being support to complainants. Less than 40% said they had attended sexual harassment training.

Down the report here: Fifth national survey on sexual harassment in Australian workplaces.