Unite, the UK's leading union in the civil aviation sector, has signed a landmark sexual harassment policy at London’s Heathrow Airport.

This policy covers all workers at Heathrow Airport Limited, including those who are employed by third party companies such as British Airways and OCS. It is the first such sexual harassment policy signed by Unite since law changes on workplace sexual harassment in October 2024.

Key parts of the policy include mandatory training on sexual harassment - such as what behaviour constitutes this - which all employees must do and sign off on, as well as regular risk assessments and a commitment to the employer taking swift and effective action when sexual harassment is reported.  The policy also includes clear procedures in cases where an individual is disciplined or dismissed following a finding of sexual harassment.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "Unite has long been committed to taking a zero-tolerance approach to sexual harassment and this marks an excellent win for our members at Heathrow Airport.

"This new policy will go a long way to protecting our staff from sexual harassment and creating a safe workplace, where workers are being given the commitment that incidents will be dealt with effectively. Unite will fight every step of the way to ensure workplace harassment becomes a thing of the past."

Next steps will include Unite carrying out polling at Heathrow Airport to see if members believe the policy is working, as well as a review of it. There will also be a campaign working with the employer focusing on sexual harassment.

Last year as part of a wider survey by Unite on sexual harassment, the union found the problem was endemic in the CAT sector. One in three women working in the industry had been sexually assaulted at work, while 55 per cent had been inappropriately touched and 40 per cent had been shown porn with the perpetrators including colleagues, managers and a third party such as a passenger.

However, a massive 80 per cent did not report these incidents, while those who did said it wasn't taken seriously by management with 76 per cent saying this was the case.

Unite regional officer Shereen Higginson said: "Unite's research found the CAT sector is one of the worst affected by sexual harassment and urgent change is sorely needed.

"We are very pleased to have signed off on this policy at Heathrow Airport, which won't only protect staff there but has real potential to affect significant change nationally. This is a major step in Unite's plans to end sexual harassment in the workplace once and for all."

Unite is currently running its Zero Tolerance to Sexual Harassment campaign. The Heathrow policy will now be looked at to see how it came be taken forward at a national level and be implemented at workplaces in all 19 sectors covered by Unite.

ENDS

For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite press officer Natasha Wynarczyk on 07970081524

Email: natasha.wynarczyk@unitetheunion.org