THE government’s removal of protection against third-party harassment from the Equality Act has made harassment at work worse, Usdaw said today.

The union’s deputy general secretary Dave McCrossen said sexual harassment must not be “simply brushed under the carpet,” with harassers “consistently challenged” and victims feeling confident to report what they are suffering.

“This Conservative government has systematically weakened and dismantled the UK’s existing equality framework,” Mr McCrossen said.