EDM 622: Sexual harassment in the workplace

That this House is seriously concerned about the continued incidence of alleged sexual harassment in workplaces across the UK; notes that 700 current or former employees of McDonald's UK alone are bringing legal action against the company alleging they were subject to sexual harassment, alongside other discrimination, homophobia, and racism claims; understands that 90 per cent of the complainants were employed on zero hours contracts, indicating that instances of abuse are more likely to occur given the power imbalances between managers and often young and more vulnerable workers on casualised terms and conditions; supports legislative proposals in the Employment Rights Bill to strengthen legal duties of protection on employers; welcomes the launch by the Workers Policy Project of the End Not Defend Sexual Harassment campaign, to ensure that the issue is also taken seriously within the regulatory framework governing safety in the workplace, and to strengthen workers and trade union rights; and calls for an integrated and properly-resourced approach between the Equalities and Human Rights Commission, Health and Safety Executive and the new Fair Work Agency in order to stamp out sexual harassment at work for good.