Sexual Harassment Complaint Letter

What is a Sexual Harassment Complaint Letter?

A sexual harassment complaint letter is a formal letter sent by an employee to their employer to make a formal complaint about being sexually harassed by another employee in the organisation. It is a letter used to create a record of unwelcome sexual advances such as unsolicited touching, showing inappropriate pictures, standing uncomfortably close to someone, etc.

Is it mandatory to have a Sexual Harassment Complaint Letter?

No, strictly speaking it is not mandatory to have a sexual harassment complaint letter. However, it is advisable to draft one for record purposes and to keep track of the situation in the event it escalates to a legal claim. Conversely, it may mandatory to have one where the employer has a policy on sexual harassment and the policy requires such complaints to be made formally in writing.

What does Sexual Harassment mean?

Secual Harassment refers to any unwanted verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct that is sexual and intimidates, humiliates, or makes someone uncomfortable. Such behaviour can include comments, touching, or any other behaviour that creates a hostile environment.

Who can use a Sexual Harassment Complaint Letter?

A sexual harassment conplaint letter can be used by all personnel in the workplace. This means that it is not limited to employees and workers. Independent contractors hired under a service agreement and/or consultancy agreement can also be covered by the employer's sexual harassment. As such, they can also use a sexual harassment complaint letter to make a formal complaint.

What can be the duration of a Sexual Harassment Complaint Letter?

A sexual harassment complaint letter can be sent at any time to the employer after an employee or personnel in the organisation has experienced sexual harassment. The earlier this is done, the better because if the employee decides to take further legal action (e.g taking a claim to the employment tribunal), they have 3 months minus a day of the incident within which to make that claim to the tribunal.

What has to be done once a Sexual Harassment Complaint Letter is ready?

Once the sexual harassment complaint letter is ready, it should be signed by the employee who is sending the letter. The letter can then be given to the employer either physically or by email to the person within the employer's organisation who handles such matters (e.g. HR manager). The employee should also keep a copy of the letter for their records.

Which document should be attached to a Sexual Harassment Complaint Letter?

The employee can attach evidence of the sexual harasment being complained of. Evidence can include screenshots of messages, pictures, emails or witness accounts of the incident.

What must a Sexual Harassment Complaint Letter Contain?

A sexual harassment complaint letter should contain:

• The name of the person who committed the sexual harassment;
• The date when the sexual harassment occured;
• What the sexual harassment act was;
• Any witnesses to the incident; and
• The action the employee wants the employer to take.

Which laws are applicable to a Sexual Harassment Complaint Letter?

Equality Act 2010

Help from a lawyer

You can choose to consult a lawyer if you need help.

The lawyer can answer your questions or help you through the process. You will be offered this option when you complete the document.

How to modify the template?

You fill out a form. The document is created before your eyes as you respond to the questions.

At the end, you receive it in Word and PDF formats. You can modify it and reuse it.