AS the festive season arrives, lots of young people across the area gear up to earn extra cash by taking on temporary roles in the hospitality sector, which a large percentage of jobs in Eastbourne represent.
Pubs, restaurants, and hotels see a sharp increase in staff during this busy period, many of whom are students and young adults hoping to earn some extra money.
However, beneath the tinsel and festive cheer lies a worrying reality — 90% of hospitality staff have experienced sexual harassment at work, according to a survey by Unite the Union.
Ruth Sparkes, co-founder of SaferSpace, an organisation dedicated to preventing and reporting workplace harassment, said: “Late nights combined with drunk customers create a dangerous mix. For many young people, it feels as though sexual harassment is just ‘part of the job.’ It isn’t — and it shouldn’t be tolerated.”
Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics show that approximately one-third of workers in the hospitality sector are aged between 16 and 24.
Ruth added: “These young workers often don’t know their rights or they’re afraid of speaking out, they don’t know where to turn. The fear of losing their jobs or getting a bad reference creates an environment where sexual harassment can go unchecked.”
The hospitality industry poses unique challenges, especially during the Christmas season. Alcohol-fuelled behaviour from customers, coupled with late-night shifts, can leave staff, especially females, vulnerable.
A former bar worker shared her experience: “During a Christmas party, a large group of men kept making crude comments about me, and they kept trying to touch me. When I reported it to my manager, he dismissed it, saying, ‘They’re just drunk — smile and get on with it… think of the tips!’ I felt completely helpless.”
The UK government has taken steps to address the issue. The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act places a new duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace, including at off-site events like Christmas parties.
While workers can take precautions, Sparkes stresses that the ultimate responsibility lies with employers. She concluded: ”It’s not enough to have policies on paper. Employers must provide proper training, take complaints seriously, and foster a workplace culture where harassment is immediately addressed — a simple reporting tool like SaferSpace is ideal.”
SaferSpace is a straightforward mobile ‘app’ that enables users, (with just a few taps on their smartphone) to report unacceptable behaviour: sexual harassment, discrimination, racism etc… in the workplace or on campus.
