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

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 organisational values of Care and Compassion, Dignity and Respect, Openness, Honesty and Responsibility, and Quality and Teamwork.

Sexual Harassment, Sexism, Misogyny, Violence Against Women (VAW) and Gender Based Violence (GBV) are also a breach of the NHSGGC Code of Conduct and is handled formally under the NHS Scotland Workforce Conduct Policy and the Bullying and Harassment Policy and carry disciplinary action.

Through ‘Cut It Out’ and Equally Safe at Work (ESaW)

Understanding Sexual Harassment

It is everyone’s duty to tackle sexual harassment at work and ensure we have no tolerance for this in our culture. In January 2026, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) became the first NHS Board in Scotland to achieve Equally Safe at Work (ESaW) Bronze accreditation.

Through Cut It Out and ESaW, we are strengthening how we prevent and tackle sexual harassment, advance gender equality, and address Violence Against Women (VAW) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in all its forms.

We all have a role in creating a workplace where our colleagues feel safe, respected, and supported to speak up.

What is Harassment?

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.

Sexual Harassment and the Law

Sexual harassment could be considered a criminal offence if there is stalking, physical assault, indecent exposure or cyber harassment.

What You Can Do: Support and Reporting

If you have experienced or are witnessing sexual harassment, VAW or GBV it is vital that you feel able to come forward and access the right support. The HR Support and Advice Unit (HRSAU) offer support and advice to any member of staff who has experienced harassment, you can also access help and advice by calling the helpline on: 0141 201 8545.

Reporting Sexual Harassment

While some workforce policies, specifically the NHS Once for Scotland Bullying and Harassment Policy, highlight “Early Resolution,” NHSGGC recognises that for cases of sexual harassment, VAW and GBV, early resolution as a first step may not be appropriate. You are not expected to resolve these issues yourself and you have the right to move straight to formal reporting or seek support or confidential advice through the following channels:

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 NHSGGC HR Support and Advice Unit. Telephone number: 0141 278 2700 (Press option 2).

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

NHSGGC have a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of Sexual Harassment, VAW and GBV and we treat all reported instances of harassment seriously and consistently. Any form of bullying or harassment, including sexual harassment, is also a breach of our Code of Conduct and will be addressed immediately. Such behaviour is treated as misconduct or gross misconduct and is handled formally under the NHS Scotland Workforce Conduct Policy and the Bullying and Harassment Policy.

Please ensure you are familiar with these essential 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.

Stalking and Harassment Risk Assessment

To maintain the safety, health, and wellbeing of staff experiencing stalking or harassing behaviours, the exemplar Risk Assessment Form should be used to ensure suitable and sufficient safety and control measures are in place to support staff.

Flexible Working and Our Equality Goals

A major part of our commitment to gender equality is helping staff achieve a healthy work-life balance.

Please ensure you are familiar with these essential linked policy documents:

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.

Supporting Your Career

Administration Staff

Workplace equality means everyone has a fair chance to succeed.

Healthcare Support Workers (HCSW)

NHSGGC also have a dedicated resource and development hub for our Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) colleagues. All resources for HCSW professional development are in the one place. What’s more, we have links to different support sites such as NHS Education for Scotland (NES), our own NHSGGC development programmes and a sample of training courses and instructions on how to access them.

Training and Development

NHSGGC offers a comprehensive range of training modules and workshops designed to empower staff and managers with the skills to identify, challenge, and prevent sexual harassment and gender-based violence in the workplace.

• Sexual Harassment (People Management Module): Supporting staff is a key part of the manager’s job. This module is open to NHSGGC managers and supervisors (including HSCP managers/supervisors) with responsibility for NHSGGC staff. Access this training on the NHSGGC Learning and Education (L&E) Training page.
• Turas Learn has an e-learning module on sexual harassment. This resource created by Close the Gap, will help support line managers and staff across NHSGGC to identify sexual harassment, understand wider gender inequalities, support colleagues and highlight relevant policies and good practice.
• Active Bystander Training: An innovative and award-winning training session open to all NHSGGC and HSCP staff, 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): These modules will equip managers with the skills to recognise the signs of Violence Against Women (VAW) and 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

• Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow: Active Bystander Training for Tackling Sexual Misconduct in Healthcare. This training is an interactive half-day workshop that provides a comprehensive introduction to understanding, identifying and addressing sexual misconduct in the workplace and in clinical settings.

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 Number: 08088 01 03 02 
• Scottish Women’s Rights Centre  Helpline Number: 08088 010789
• The National Trauma Transformation Programme
• SARCS Sexual Assault Self-Referral Phone Service – NHS Inform Helpline Number: 0800 148 88 88
• Scottish Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline
• Police Scotland – Domestic Abuse Disclosure Scheme

Support Materials