Inappropriate behaviour still regularly dismissed as ‘banter’

Half of the respondents surveyed as part of a new research report from the Womens Utilities Network admitted to witnessing or experiencing inappropriate behaviour in the workplace that was dismissed as banter.

Respondents to new research by the Womens Utility Network (WUN) say inappropriate behaviour in the workplace is still problematic. Further, more than a third (35%) of those surveyed said they did not feel able to speak up about it – and 56% said the behaviour wasn’t addressed by their organisation. In the 222 cases reported by respondents, only 19 resulted in a written warning, and just 21 in disciplinary action. In 55 cases, no measures were taken when an instance of inappropriate behaviour was reported. (The new report delves into employees’ experience of company culture following WUN’s report on unconscious bias, which was published in 2024.)

But although the report highlights widespread inappropriate behaviour it also finds that company culture is very positive in some ways (a notion supported by Utility Week Intelligence’s own research). Of 300 respondents, 94% said that their employer offered benefits or initiatives aimed at supporting a work-life balance, with over two-thirds (69%) stating that the leadership team takes workplace culture and wellbeing seriously. (The remaining 31% were ambivalent or completely disagreed.) Interestingly, 75% do not see salary as their top priority, with job flexibility being rated more highly by respondents.

Methodology:

The survey was shared through the networks of WUN and The Marketing Pod during February and March 2025, resulting in 300 responses. 281 of the respondents were female, 18 were male and one was non-binary. The majority were aged between 25 and 54, have spent a minimum of five years working in utilities and 83% were in middle or senior management roles.

Methodology:

The survey was shared through the networks of WUN and The Marketing Pod during February and March 2025, resulting in 300 responses. 281 of the respondents were female, 18 were male and one was non-binary. The majority were aged between 25 and 54, have spent a minimum of five years working in utilities and 83% were in middle or senior management roles.

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A Utility Week Intelligence Report in association with the Womens Utilities Network