Sexual Harassment in the House of Commons
Well, we finally found the stance that can truly unite both parties in Parliament – sexually harassing female colleagues.
A further six members of Westminster staff have come forward describing their experience with being sexually harassed by MPs and senior colleagues. One woman complained that she was asked to sit on a male MP’s knee, with him being so insistent that she complied simply to ‘get him off my case’. Further describing how male MPs would be ‘all over staffers; in their physical space, buying them drinks and actually behaving in a pretty disgusting state – touching bums and putting their hands all over their lower backs’.
The employment system in place has not helped how the issues have been dealt with. With each MP being classed as an individual employer, they have been given free rein to manage their staff as they please. Their staff are not afforded the usual HR structure that would protect them in these scenarios, instead having to rely on public scrutiny.
In 2018, Parliament set up the Independant Complaints and Grievance Scheme to investigate complaints of inappropriate behaviour. While the committee was heralded as being the first of its kind in the world, the response times remain a point of frustration for the victims. The average response time for a complaint is 262 days. Since 2018 union membership amongst those working in Westminster, especially younger workers, has risen drastically.
As a bonus, the BBC Panorama documentary looking into the handling of these allegations has been quietly dropped without explanation.
If you or a colleague have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace or are in HR and are dealing with any of the behaviours described above, please contact a member of our team who will be able to assist you.
