Back

Sexual harassment rampant in workplaces as fear of speaking up revealed

Unions NSW

 

More than four in five women say they’ve experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, in a shocking new survey of essential workers that uncovers a fear-based culture of silence around reporting the problem.

 

Over half (52%) of all respondents to Union NSW's 'Being an Ethical Bystander' survey said they had witnessed sexual or gender based harassment at work, with men overwhelmingly responsible (85%).

Unions NSW is calling for governments to urgently implement stronger protections for ethical bystanders and fund programs to reduce gender based harassment in male-dominated workplaces. 

 

“What we heard loud and clear from men is that they want to call out the bad behaviour of others but need practical tools and support to do it safely,” said Unions NSW Gender Equity Officer Karen Willis.

 

“It is essential workers feel confident to speak up when they witness harassment and improper behaviour in the workplace and that their job security is not at risk when doing so.

 

“Explicit protection for ethical bystanders must be set out within Respect@Work and WHS laws so ethical bystanders are supported, not punished, for doing the right thing.”

 

Common practices include vile sexually suggestive jokes and comments, as well as leering and intrusive staring, with ten per cent of respondents admitting they’ve witnessed inappropriate conduct in the last month alone. 

 

“Ethical bystander training gives workers the practical tools to step in safely - by speaking up, changing the dynamic, getting support, or following up later,” Ms Willis said.

 

Sexual and gender based harassment takes many forms and can be as subtle as being ignored or belittled for speaking up in a meeting, to more overt displays such as unwanted touching or online or digital abuse.

 

Ms Willis said protections must be enforced for those who call out sexual harassment in the workplace along with union-led training to support cultural change. 

 

“In male dominated industries, leadership and peer silence reinforces a culture of fear when it comes to speaking up.”

 

“We’re talking about changing the behaviour of a very small group of men who think harassment is okay and the best way to do that is for other men to say, ‘enough’,” Ms Willis said. 

 

“Many workplaces have policies and training in place to deal with sexual harassment but the majority of people view these as ‘tick box’ exercises and not fit for purpose.

 

“In our survey, union members expressed greater levels of confidence to report or intervene because they had a delegate present in their workplace. 

 

“This highlights the critical role of unions in advocating for respectful workplace culture and nurturing relationships among colleagues.”

 

A total of 940 workers were surveyed between October and November 2025, representing education, transport, health, emergency services, community and disability services workplaces.

 

Ready, Willing, Unable: The Hidden Barriers to Ethical Bystander Action in the Workplace is available here. 

 

Key Findings

• 52% of respondents had witnessed sexual or gender-based harassment at work.

• 10% (90 respondents) had seen such behaviour in the past month.

• 17% (156 respondents) had seen such behaviour in the past year.

• 25% (238 respondents) had seen such behaviour more than a year ago.

• 85% who used sexual or gender-based behaviour were men.

• 84% of those who experienced sexual or gender-based harassment were women.

 

Most common sexual harassment behaviours

• Sexually suggestive jokes and comments

• Leering and intrusive staring

• Unwanted touching or physical proximity

• Gendered exclusion and intimidation

• Online or digital harassment

 

Most common barriers to ethical bystander interventions

• Fear of retaliation

• Belief that management would not act

• Uncertainty about what to do

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Eliot Barham | 0423 921 200