In a survey of 940 workers from education, transport, health, emergency services, community and disability services industries, Unions NSW has examined the attitudes of bystanders who witness sexual harassment in the workplace. Their findings show that 52% of those surveyed had witnessed sexual harassment but in many cases did not report it for fear of retaliation.
Unions NSW gender equity officer Karen Willis said, “What we heard loud and clear from men is that they want to call out the bad behaviour of others but need practical tools and support to do it safely… It is essential workers feel confident to speak up when they witness harassment and improper behaviour in the workplace and that their job security is not at risk when doing so.”
In the study report Ready, Willing, Unable – The Hidden Barriers to Ethical Bystander Action in the Workplace Unions NSW recommends urgent strengthening of protections for ethical bystanders to protect them from victimisation or retaliation.
Other identified barriers to bystanders reporting harassment include believing that the issue will not be taken seriously by their employer, being uncertain of what to say, fear of damaging workplace relationships, and being concerned about confidentiality.
Ms Willis said protections must be enforced for those who call out sexual harassment in the workplace along with union-led training to support cultural change.
“In male dominated industries, leadership and peer silence reinforces a culture of fear when it comes to speaking up… We’re talking about changing the behaviour of a very small group of men who think harassment is okay and the best way to do that is for other men to say, ‘enough’,” Ms Willis said.
“Many workplaces have policies and training in place to deal with sexual harassment but the majority of people view these as ‘tick box’ exercises and not fit for purpose.
“In our survey, union members expressed greater levels of confidence to report or intervene because they had a delegate present in their workplace. This highlights the critical role of unions in advocating for respectful workplace culture and nurturing relationships among colleagues.”
Amongst other findings, the survey highlighted:
- A clear majority of participants, 484 respondents, reported having witnessed sexual or gender-based harassment in their workplace. Over 50% had witnessed sexual harassment several times per year.
- The overwhelming pattern reported was that most perpetrators were identified as men (85%), and most targets were women (84%), while men accounted for 29% of those who reported being targeted.
- In addition, 296 respondents explicitly stated that sexual harassment is a problem in their workplace, a figure that underscores the persistence and normalisation of harmful behaviours across multiple industries.
Many respondents described:
- Repeated exposure, “several times per year,” “weekly or more,” or “within the past month.”
- High prevalence of observed harassment.
- Common behavioural patterns included verbal and non-verbal misconduct.
- Significant barriers to ethical bystander intervention.
- Inconsistent employer responses and limited gender equity and bystander training.
- Positive influence of union support and delegate presence on worker confidence and reporting outcomes.
Addressing these gendered issues requires coordinated legislative action, strengthened protections for ethical bystanders, and sustained investment in prevention strategies that address the underlying cultural and structural drivers of harassment. The evidence is clear: lasting change depends on embedding gender equity, psychosocial safety, and collective responsibility at every level of workplace culture, practice and governance.
To assist in the improvement of workplace cultures around gendered violence and the response to it, the Victorian Labour College at Victorian Trades Hall Council offers a variety of training across Victoria to equip workers with the skills, knowledge and confidence required. Courses include:
- Safe Respectful Workplaces
- Bystander Action Training
- Positive Duty Training
- Women’s Rights at Work
- Family and Domestic Violence: A Workplace Issue
Read the report: Unions NSW | Ready, Willing, Unable