Sexual Harassment: ‘Cut It Out’ and Equally Safe at Work (ESaW) Programmes

Sexual Harassment, Sexism, Misogyny, Violence Against Women (VAW) and Gender Based Violence (GBV) are a breach of the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) Code of Conduct and carry disciplinary action.

Our Commitment to an Equally Safe Workspace

It is everyone’s duty to tackle sexual harassment at work and ensure we have no tolerance for this in our culture. NHSGGC has a zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment in all its forms.

The NHSGGC Cut It Out programme and our aim to achieve the Equally Safe at Work (ESaW) accreditation strengthens our plans, policies, and approaches to prevent Violence Against Women (VAW), all forms of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), and inequality in the workplace.

Through these programmes, we aim to:

• Tackle sexual harassment and Violence Against Women (VAW)
• Address inequalities and advance gender equality in the workplace
• Prevent Gender-Based Violence (GBV) both in our organisation and the wider community
• Ensure all staff feel “safe, supported and empowered” to report harassment, VAW or other inappropriate behaviours
• Build trust, confidence, and knowledge so staff know their concerns will be dealt with appropriately when reported, and;
• Ensure managers are equipped to deal with issues that are raised.

What is Harassment? NHS Scotland Bullying and Harassment Policy:

Harassment is unwanted conduct relating to a protected characteristic (such as age, disability, race, sex, or sexual orientation) which violates an individual’s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment. It may also relate to other personal characteristics like trans identities, weight, or social status.

Our Explicit Stance: Zero-Tolerance, the Code of Conduct and Once for Scotland Policies

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) have a zero-tolerance policy towards Violence Against Women (VAW), Gender-Based Violence (GBV), sexism, misogyny, and sexual harassment.

These behaviours are a direct breach of the NHSGGC Code of Conduct and our organisational values of Care and Compassion, Dignity and Respect, Openness, Honesty and Responsibility, and Quality and Teamwork.

We deal with these reported instances seriously and consistently. Any form of harassment or bullying, including sexual harassment, will be treated as misconduct or gross misconduct and handled under the NHS Scotland Workforce Conduct Policy and the Bullying and Harassment Policy.

Any such conduct will be addressed immediately via the Code of Conduct and the appropriate Once for Scotland policies. Please ensure you are familiar with these linked documents:

Special Leave for Victims of Gender-Based Violence

The Cut it Out/ESaW Programme Board has approved an Explicit Statement on Special Leave for staff who are victims of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), including domestic abuse, sexual harassment, stalking, and sexual violence.

This statement, part of the “Once for Scotland Special Leave Policy,” ensures that affected staff can take time off to seek support, attend appointments, and take steps toward their safety and recovery. This is a key part of our goal to foster a safe and inclusive workplace.

Flexible Working and Our Equality Goals

A major part of our commitment to gender equality is helping staff achieve a healthy work-life balance. Flexible working is actively promoted across NHSGGC because it:

• Addresses inequality and helps create a fairer workplace environment
• Supports safety: We recognise that a colleague may wish to apply for flexible working because they are experiencing Violence Against Women (VAW) or Gender Based Violence (GBV)
• Reduces stress and supports those with caring responsibilities

What You Can Do: Support and Reporting

If you have experienced or are witnessing sexual harassment, it is vital that you feel able to come forward and access the right support. Support and advice are available to any member of staff who has experienced harassment: Here

Your Privacy and Confidentiality

If you are affected by harassment, VAW or GBV, you will be treated with compassion and discretion:

• Need-to-Know Basis: Information is only shared with those who absolutely need it to keep you safe or manage an investigation (like HR or Occupational Health).
• Informed Consent: We will always tell you who needs to know and why before any information is shared.

Providing Feedback on Case Handling

We are committed to improving our response. If you have gone through the reporting process, you can provide feedback on how it was handled by speaking to the HR Support and Advice Unit: 0141 278 2700 (Option 2).

Workplace Equality and Intersectionality

NHSGGC recognise that Violence Against Women (VAW) is a root cause of women’s inequality in the labour market. Abuse often prevents staff, who are disproportionately women, from fully participating in work, which can lead to absence, financial instability, or stalled career progression.

Our commitment is “intersectional”, we acknowledge that harassment and violence are experienced differently depending on a person’s identity. We ensure our support and policies are inclusive of the unique experiences of all staff, particularly:

• Women from black and minority ethnic backgrounds
• Disabled women
• LGBTQ+ staff, and;
• Other groups who face overlapping forms of discrimination.

By addressing these specific barriers, we advance equality of opportunity and foster a safe, respectful environment for everyone.

Supporting Your Career: Administration Staff

Workplace equality means everyone has a fair chance to succeed. We are highlighting the Professional Administration Transformation Programme to help you grow:

• Learning Passports: Give you total clarity on your role and a clear development plan.
• Structured Pathways: Clear routes for mandatory learning and management development.
• Role Clarity: Defining the exact skills needed to move to the next level.
• Practical Support: Access to work shadowing and guidance for qualifications.

You can find more information on the SharePoint page, contact one of the Administration Governance Managers for advice, or discuss your goals with your manager during your next PDP&R.

Training and Development

• Management Training: Supporting staff is a key part of the manager’s job and this module offers guidance and support on issues relating to harassment at work. Any member of staff in NHSGGC who has responsibility for managing NHSGGC staff in their teams can sign up for training using this link: Sexual Harassment – NHSGGC
• Turas Learn has an e-learning module on sexual harassment. This resource created by Close the Gap, will help support line managers across NHSGGC to identify sexual harassment, understand wider gender inequalities, support colleagues and highlight relevant policies and good practice.
• Active Bystander Training: Innovative and award-winning training session which provides skills to challenge unacceptable behaviours, including those which may have become normalised over time. Book places for 2025/26 via the Cut It Out page on Staffnet. (If you cannot access Staffnet, email ggc.staffexperience@nhs.scot).
• Speak Up! (LearnPro Course 330): An NHS module to support staff to challenge inappropriate behaviours.
• Violence Against Women at Work (LearnPro Course 353): Modules will equip managers with the skills to recognise the signs of Gender Based Violence (GBV), understand its impact on staff and ensure appropriate support and assistance is provided within our working environment.
• Flexible Working (LearnPro Course 350): Will assist managers in confidently navigating and understanding flexible working requests, ensuring a fair and consistent application of policy across all teams.
• You can also view EDI and Active Bystander Training – Moving Beyond the Tick Box

Additional Resources

Internal Support:

 

Inclusive Internal Support

NHSGGC Staff Equality Forums: Offer dedicated peer support and safe spaces:

External Specialist Support

• Rape Crisis Scotland – Helpline for anyone over 13 who has experienced sexual violence, no matter when or how it happened. Sexual harassment, whether at work or elsewhere, is a form of sexual violence. Helpline: 08088 01 03 02 
• Scottish Women’s Rights Centre  Helpline: 08088 010789 (Mondays 10am-12:30pm and Wednesdays 10am-1pm)
• The Homepage – National Trauma Transformation Programme
•  SARCS sexual assault self-referral phone service – NHS Inform Helpline: 0800 148 88 88
• Scottish Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline – Here
• Police Scotland – Domestic Abuse Disclosure Scheme – Here

Support Materials