Guidance for Healthcare Organisations

Healthcare organisations should foster a safe and open working environment. Mechanisms for reporting poor behaviours should be easy to access, supportive and confidential. Links and contact details for reporting of poor behaviours should be displayed at multiple points in the organisation including in bathroom areas.  Staff surveys should include questions regarding experience of or witnessing of sexual misconduct to allow the confidential and psychologically safe screening of an organisation for behaviours that may not reach a threshold for individuals to formally report.

Healthcare organisations should ensure that they have policies and processes to support staff members and service users who have experienced sexual misconduct. Human resource departments and Occupational Health Services should have clear pathways to support affected individuals.

Organisational culture plays a significant role in the prevalence of sexual misconduct. An organisation in which incivility is normalised is at risk of becoming an organisation with high levels of sexual misconduct. Organisations which promote social integration and engage staff members in decision making and management have a reduced level of sexual misconduct.

Workplaces which have dominant roles undertaken predominantly by men are associated with higher levels of abuse than those in which gender equality is more apparent. Senior roles in surgical settings continue to be predominantly occupied by men.

Organisations should publicise their policies and procedures regarding acceptable behaviours. The process of reporting, and investigation and the enforcement of penalties should be clear to all staff members. Targets should feel reassured that if they speak up they will be protected and action will be taken. Perpetrators should be in no doubt that if they behave inappropriately, there will be significant consequences.

Organisations should ensure that the employees receive regular training regarding behavioural expectations, recognition of poor behaviour and bystander interventions.