For the first time, finance workers have detailed their experiences of sexual harassment in the workplace in a report compiled by the Finance Sector Union.
Launched ahead of International Women’s Day, the Report reveals the extent of harassment that exists in the finance sector, and the responses are not pretty.
Sex Discrimination Commissioner Dr Anna Cody joined FSU National Secretary Julia Angrisano to launch this landmark Report, highlighting the inconsistencies between risk assessments undertaken by employers in the finance sector and the kinds of sexual harassment workers are subjected to.
“It is clear from the findings of this Report that finance workers have not been provided with effective education about the sort of behaviour that constitutes sexual harassment and that when harassment occurs, they have little faith in corporate reporting systems,” Ms Angrisano said.
The Report finds:
Only half of those who experience sexual harassment report it.
70% of those who didn’t report, said they believed no action would be taken against the perpetrators and their harassers would get away with it.
40% of respondents had experienced behaviours at work that constitute sexual harassment but only 9% recognised it as sexual harassment.
Harassment comes from co-workers, managers and customers.
Ms Angrisano said gender inequality and power imbalances underline the cultural norms that allow sexual harassment to occur and go unchallenged. Gender pay gap data released this week highlights the imbalance in the finance industry.
Workers across the finance industry bravely shared their stories and experiences about workplace sexual harassment:
“Colleague was spoken down to, criticised, bullied and harassed, made to feel inferior performing her role because she was a female and reduced to tears by a mobile manager who has a very bad reputation for doing this to many staff members. Yet because he writes a lot of loans, reprimand appears non-existent and he is still employed.”
“I received recognition points by two bankers for helping them with their clients. My manager at the time (2021) said in front of other staff members, ‘oh you sleeping with them girl? Is that how you get points?’ It was devaluing and could have been damaging to my reputation within the organisation.”
“Based on the experience of a friend, I am not confident that the employer will support employees who have experienced any sexual harassment or discrimination from other employees (who may be close to management) or from management itself.”
“It is clear the employer will only protect itself and those it considers important (i.e. senior leaders and their friends). The formal complaint process will just flag the victim as a potential problem employee and may make continuing employment within the team/area more difficult.”
The “One Too Many” Report can be accessed here: https://fsu.org.au/OneTooMany
Media contact John Hill 0412 197 079
“Every woman deserves the right to live with dignity and to have the…
The release of alarming employer gender pay gap data, shines a spotlight on…
The FSU is calling on banks and financial institutions to immediately suspend mandatory…
