Lloyd’s of London will post flyers in City pubs urging workers to report inappropriate behaviour, after mass complaints of sexual harassment.
After hundreds of the giant’s underwriters and brokers said they witnessed abuse or harassment in the past year, the City institution is launching a campaign of advertising, banners and vinyl posters in the company’s headquarters at One Lime Street and in local bars and cafes.
A staff survey found that nearly 500 respondents either suffered or witnessed sexual harassment in the past 12 months alone. Previously, Bloomberg reported evidence from 18 women complaining of a range of sexual harassment, from inappropriate remarks to physical assault.
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One allegation involved a senior manager drunkenly attacking a woman in a pub around the corner from Lloyd’s. Bloomberg reports that her employer “convinced her it would be bad for her career to pursue a complaint”.
One of the new posters reads: “We stand for integrity, respect and inclusion. And always speak up.” Another states that a Lloyd’s there is “no room for unacceptable behaviour”. Both feature the telephone number for a confidential helpline.
Lloyd’s chief executive, John Neal, says: “At Lloyd’s we expect all market participants to act with integrity, be respectful and always speak up. I hope this campaign encourages more people to do so. You will be heard, you will be supported, and we will act, because no matter what form it takes, harassment is never acceptable.”
In 2017, Lloyd’s banned drinking alcohol during working hours as part of its drive to cut out bad behaviour. The Times says “the move was welcomed by some, while others condemned it as overbearing”.
The insurance market has been described by the shadow City minister Jonathan Reynolds as being “institutionally sexist”.
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