The Treasury Committee has published a response from the Treasury
and regulators to it's report on sexual harassment
and bullying in the financial services sector.
In the report, entitled Sexism in the City, MPs found a
‘shocking' prevalence of sexism and misogyny and a culture which
is ‘holding back women'.
The Committee concluded progress was moving at a ‘snail's pace'
and called for a number of changes to existing workplace
practices. One reform put forward was a total ban on the use of
non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in all harassment cases.
In its response, the Government highlights action they have taken
in preventing the use of NDAs in other sectors and says an NDA
would ‘most likely' be unenforceable when related to reporting a
crime to the police. They do not commit to taking forward the
Committee's recommendation.
The Committee also recommended stronger protections for sexual
harassment whistleblowers, a ban on prospective employers asking
for salary history and a legal requirement to include salary
bands on job adverts.
The Government confirmed they are continuing to review the
whistleblowing framework with a view to understanding how it can
be improved.
Chair of the Treasury Committee, Dame ,
said:
“Backed up by a huge amount of compelling evidence, our Committee
set out a number of recommendations which would create a fairer,
safer environment for talented women trying to get on in the UK's
world-leading financial services sector.
“Steps like banning NDAs in all harassment cases and removing
biases which benefit men in salary negotiations are
straightforward, logical measures which would have a huge impact
on people's lives.
“I would continue to urge the Government to increase the pace of
progress and competitiveness in this important
sector.”
