Sexual Harrasment and Misconduct
What is sexual harrassment?
Sexual Harassment is unwanted or unwelcome words, conduct, or behaviour of a sexual nature that has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment for the recipient. It can include sexual jokes or comments both in person or online, via text or physical contact such as unwelcome sexual advances or touching.
Where a complaint of Sexual Harassment is upheld, Lead Employer may consider this Gross Misconduct in accordance with the Handling Concerns Policy.
What is Sexual Misconduct?
Sexual misconduct is uninvited or unwelcome behaviour of a sexual nature, or which can reasonably be interpreted as sexual, that offends, embarrasses, harms, humiliates or intimidates an individual or group. Sexual misconduct encompasses elements of harassment, violence and abuse and can be physical, verbal or visual. Sexual Misconduct can include behaviour considered to be Sexual Harassment, but also includes potentially criminal behaviour such as sexual assault, stalking, sharing private images and message, and rape.
What is Consent?
Consent means that both people have agreed by choice, and they have the freedom and capacity to make that choice to engage is sexual conduct. This also means that a persons consent must continue to be given, and a person has the right to say no, or stop at any time; and if the capacity of a person to continue to give consent is impaired, then it should be taken than consent is no longer given.
A person can not given consent if they are threatened with violence or subjected to actual violence to themselves, their property or others; are asleep, unconscious, drugged or incapacitated; or because of a disability were unable to communicate consent, or have the mental capacity to consent to sexual conduct.
Watch this short animation explaining the concept of consent using the analogy of a cup of tea: Tea and Consent (Clean).
Reporting sexual harrasment and sexual misconduct
Informal advice
If you would like to informally talk to someone about your experience, please contact our Helpdesk confidentially and the team will direct you to the appropraite team: lead.employer@sthk.nhs.uk or call us on 0151 478 7777
Raising a concern
You can raise a concern or raise a informal grievance with any of the following:
- Resolving workplace issues
- Chat to Jo - speak directly with our Assistant Director of HR
- Raising Concerns page on the website, which includes the full policy
To raise your concerns formally, submit these in writing to your host placement contact and Lead Employer, detailing the nature of the complaint, in accordance with the Respect and Dignity at Work Policy.
Further resources
- Handling Concerns Policy
- Acas Code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance procedures
- ACE Behavioural Standards
- Resolution and Grievance Policy
- Wellbeing Support
If you have concerns over domestic abuse or would like to talk to someone about this, please visit our dedicated webpage to gain the support you or someone you know, needs.
External support
There are also external organisations that advocate for a safe working environment, specifically championing doctors in training.