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Sheffield Sexual Harassment Policy

CosyJoes has a zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment and will take all complaints of this nature extremely seriously. The purpose of this policy is to support a working environment and venue culture in which sexual harassment is unacceptable. All people working in the venue are covered in this policy including contractors such as door staff and dance staff. We have published this policy online so our customers are also aware that we take sexual harassment seriously.

What is sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination. It takes place when someone is subjected to unwelcome and unwanted sexual behaviour or other conduct related to their gender.

Harassment is defined by law in the Equality Act 2010 as ‘unwanted conduct related to a relevant protected characteristic, which has the purpose or effect of violating an individual’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that individual’. In the case of sexual harassment, the relevant protected characteristic is ‘sex’.

Behaviour that constitutes sexual harassment includes:

  • Unwelcome behaviour of a sexual nature, this may be either physical or verbal
  • Inappropriate or suggestive remarks or verbal sexual advances
  • Indecent comments, jokes or innuendos relating to a person’s looks or private life
  • Unwanted physical contact such as hugging, kissing or inappropriate touching
  • Requests for sexual favours
  • The display or circulation of pornography or indecent images

Often, this kind of behaviour may be brushed off by the harasser as ‘banter’ or harmless flirting. It is important to remember that the impact the behaviour had is the most important factor, it is not so relevant whether the individual intended to cause offence, but rather that offence was caused by the conduct.

Witnessing and handling reports of sexual harassment of patrons

CosyJoes considers it our responsibility to intervene when sexual harassment happens in our premises. If you witness or are alerted to sexual harassment taking place between patrons or between patrons and staff, you should alert the shift supervisor.

Interventions our staff may take to challenge sexual harassment in our venue include:

  • Watching/keeping an eye on the situation
  • Speaking with target/victim of sexual harassment
  • Speaking with perpetrator of sexual harassment
  • Asking the perpetrator to leave the establishment
  • Alerting door staff
  • Calling the Police

The response should be appropriate and reasonable. Communication and taking action are the key to ensuring people feel safe within the venue.

Confidentiality

Allegations raised regarding sexual harassment will be taken seriously and treated confidentially. CosyJoes gives an assurance that there will be no victimisation against any worker or customer making a complaint under this policy or against staff who assist a colleague in making a complaint.

Safeguarding within the workplace

When sexual harassment occurs, this can lead to people becoming vulnerable and upset due to shock and stress. Whether it be customers, staff or anyone else they need to be looked after. Our staff are aware of and have access to the “management vulnerable persons policy” and will use this policy in their response.