Last week, I visited four hospitality businesses that have pledged zero tolerance of sexual harassment of staff and customers by signing up to the campaign that I launched with The Star, Know the Line, UNIGHT, Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, SCR Hospitality, Sheffield BID, Sheffield TUC, South Yorkshire Police and others in May. Businesses that sign up commit to zero tolerance and undertake to treat any complaints seriously.  

The campaign was inspired by conversations with school students about their experience of harassment while working at hospitality venues and the barriers that young women faced reporting incidents to managers. They highlighted how extensive and normalised sexual harassment was for girls and women working in cafes, restaurants, hotels, bars, pubs and clubs. 

I visited the Frog & Parrot, Revolution Bar, the Leadmill, and the Silver Plate restaurant at Sheffield College, which are among those to have signed up to the zero tolerance pledge. It was really encouraging to see businesses pledging to tackle sexual harassment and create a safe environment for customers and staff as they reopen following the coronavirus pandemic.  

If you work at a hospitality venue or own a business that would like to stand up to sexual harassment, sign up here. Or, for more information, visit the campaign website here.