Most people misjudge the scale of workplace sexual harassment

Most people misjudge the scale of workplace sexual harassment

Misconceptions around the prevalence of workplace sexual harassment and the damage it causes may shape support for stronger action, a new study finds.

With one in three of all women in the UK experiencing workplace sexual harassment, research by Sonia Bhalotra and Matthew Ridley find that it remains widespread despite years of public debate following the #MeToo movement and repeated promises from employers to tackle the issue.

They explored how the public thinks about sexual harassment at work, whether people know their legal rights, and how public attitudes change when they are given more information about the problem.

Through a large-scale survey involving thousands of UK residents, participants were asked what they believed about the prevalence of workplace sexual harassment, how serious its effects are, and whether current laws and reporting systems work.

The project also examined whether people support stronger policies such as whistleblower protections, non-disclosure agreement restrictions, and greater transparency over previous misconduct.

The researchers then tested whether people’s views changed after being shown evidence about harassment rates, economic harms and the difficulties victims face when seeking justice.

While workplace sexual harassment is often discussed as a moral or legal issue, the research also stresses its economic effects. It highlights that harassment damages productivity, pushes women out of jobs and industries, and distorts career choices.

Pointing towards women avoiding male-dominated professions because they perceive a higher risk of harassment, the evidence also links it to poorer mental health, lower job satisfaction, absenteeism and employees leaving their jobs altogether.

Beyond the impact on individuals, the findings suggest there may be broader economic costs when talented workers leave workplaces or industries because they feel unsafe.

"One of the biggest challenges is that many incidents are never formally reported. Our study not only measure experiences of harassment, it also measures the accuracy of public beliefs.

"Victims often fear retaliation, worry about career consequences, or believe nothing will happen if they complain.

"With previous studies suggesting that employers frequently fail to punish perpetrators even when incidents are reported - we argue that this creates a cycle in which harassment remains hidden while public understanding of the scale of the problem stays incomplete."

Central to the research is the concept that public perceptions can directly influence policy and shows that better information can change attitudes. The findings could help shape future debates over workplace protections, whistleblowing rules and employer accountability.

• Read the full research paper: Perceptions of Workplace Sexual Harassment and Support for Policy Action