Everyone has the right to live and work, free from harassment and violence. 

Sexual harassment involves sexualised forms of unwanted or unwelcome behaviour or conduct. Although anyone may be subject to sexual harassment, it is often based on the abuse of power and reported cases are usually committed against women and perpetrated by men. 

Gender, ethnicity, migration status, disability, age, maternity, family responsibilities, sexual orientation, and gender identity may also affect the ways in which women experience violence and harassment.

Sexual harassment can include conduct such as:

  • sexual violence and assault, including rape
  • unwelcome requests for sexual favours and dates
  • inappropriate comments or jokes
  • invasive questions about your personal life
  • unwelcome touching 
  • leaning over, cornering, following, or stalking 
  • unwelcome communications of a sexual nature, including displaying or sharing sexual messages, pictures, and pornographic material.

Workplace sexual harassment can have severe and long-lasting physical, emotional, and economic consequences for victims. The impacts of sexual harassment are not limited to the victims themselves – bystanders and others in the workplace can be adversely affected. 

This type of behaviour in can have a negative impact on victims’ pay, career progression and working conditions, which can exacerbate the gender pay gap, and potentially drive individuals out of the world of work, which adds to the labour force participation gap. 

Organisations should have a code of conduct and policies around appropriate behaviour in the workplace. Worksafe New Zealand has comprehensive advice on how to deal with sexual harassment.

The Human Rights Commission have published a new report, Experiences of Workplace Bullying and Harassment in Aotearoa New Zealand (2022), which found that 38% of women have experienced sexual harassment in the past five years compared to 23% of men. Young women, bisexual workers, and disabled workers are especially likely to experience sexual harassment. 

Sexual harassment is not acceptable, and help is available:

  • If in the workplace, you should report incidents to your manager or Human Resources team. You can get further support from your union or trusted colleagues to help you through this process. 
  • Contact the Human Rights Commission.