Young workers most at risk of harassment during festive season, research finds

Research from Unite found that young workers in hospitality faced high risks of sexual harassment during the festive period. 

Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) found 16 to 24 year olds faced the highest levels of harassment in public and work settings. 

Shane Mann, co-founder of saferspace, said: “You’ve got huge groups out for the first time all year, a lot of alcohol and very young staff, including apprentices, trying to stay professional. 

“They don’t want to lose shifts, and they don’t want to be seen as difficult, so they put up with behaviour that really isn’t OK. 

“It’s horrible to watch young people talk themselves out of their own discomfort.”

Workers described incidents as subtle at first, such as customers standing too close or jokes going too far. 

Mann added: “Most harassment isn’t dramatic. It creeps in. Young staff doubt themselves and think they’re making a fuss.”

Employers were also under pressure. 

The Worker Protection Act meant bosses had to take reasonable steps to prevent harassment, not just respond afterwards. 

December was busy, managers were stretched and early signs were easy to miss.

Mann said: “A lot of young people aren’t ready for that. They just want somewhere private to ask, ‘Was that normal?’ or ‘Should I be worried?’ 

“If they don’t have that outlet, nothing gets reported and nothing gets fixed. That’s why we built saferspace lite.”

Drinks United, which included Diageo, Bacardi and Pernod Ricard, was the first to bring saferspace lite into its organisation. 

Research found over 70% of women in the whisky industry and 37% of women in wine reported harassment at work.

Mann said: “Lite is an anonymous chat that gives someone straight answers about what they experienced, without pushing them into a formal route. 

“And employers get early warning signs, anonymous insight into what staff are dealing with, and a way to spot brewing problems before they turn into resignations, litigation or even headlines. 

“In industries like hospitality, where a huge number of workers and revellers are under 25, saferspace lite could make a real and positive difference.”