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GOC Standard 15: Sexual Harassment in Optical Practice (Level 1)

Safeguarding Colleagues and Patients Through Zero-Tolerance Practice (Within S15)

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GOC Standard 15: Sexual Harassment
Understanding Sexual Harassment
Legal & Professional Standards
Impact on Individuals and Practices
Identifying Sexual Harassment
Identifying Behaviour
Prevention & Safe Culture
Navigating Complaints and Processes
Handling Complaints
Post‑Incident Support
Post‑Incident: Team Management
Expressing Personal Interest
Expressing Interest (Scenario 4)
Handling Personal Approaches
Scenario 5: Handling Approaches
Reflection & Continuous Improvement
Exam Pass Notes
Reading List
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Scenarios: Identifying Behaviour

Early recognition enables proportionate action. The following scenarios illustrate how "banter" or "minor" contact becomes harassment when impact and power are considered. ^[1] ^[6]

Scenario 1 - Persistent jokes

Scenario

You are in the staff room during a busy shift change. A senior colleague begins telling sexual jokes aloud; some staff laugh nervously, others remain silent. A junior team member shifts in their seat, looks increasingly uncomfortable, and leaves the room early, avoiding further interaction.

Why is this harassment, and what should happen next?

The conduct is sexual in nature and creates a hostile environment. ^[1] ^[6]
A proportionate response involves a clear, calm statement that redirects the conversation, followed by a private check‐in with the junior to explain options and offer support. ^[2] ^[3]
Documentation typically notes who intervened, any exact wording that matters, who was present, and agreed next steps, including coaching or formal action if behaviour repeats. ^[2] ^[1]

Scenario 2 - Patient touching

Scenario

While dispensing, a patient repeatedly reaches out and touches a dispensing optician's forearm despite the clinician subtly withdrawing and stepping back. The clinician feels their personal space is being invaded but the patient continues to touch.

How should staff respond in the moment and afterwards?

Setting a boundary helps: "Please keep hands to yourself; I need space to work safely." Where touching continues, ending the interaction and rebooking with another clinician or with a chaperone present is often appropriate. ^[3] ^[2]
Notes usually capture what occurred, who intervened, actions taken, and whether a behaviour letter or flag is needed under policy, with a layout review to allow easier exit and visibility. ^[2] ^[3]

Helpful phrasing under pressure

A neutral tone usually aids clarity. "We don't use sexual language at work," or "That contact is not appropriate," is firm without escalation. Humour that blurs the boundary tends to prolong the moment. ^[2]

Accountability checklist

Who/what/when/why: people present, conduct observed, time and place, and rationale for actions. ^[2] ^[1]
Evidence secured: messages, screenshots, or CCTV reference numbers if applicable. ^[2] ^[1]
Support actions: debrief offered, rota or pairing adjustments, and a review date. ^[3] ^[4]

Preventing recurrence

Teams often brief expectations, add signage and chaperone prompts at points of care, and include scenario practice in huddles so language is ready before the next pressure moment. ^[3] ^[2]

References (numbered in text)

Sexual harassment and harassment at work: technical guidance — Equality and Human Rights Commission (Published 15 January 2020) Find (opens in a new tab)
Creating a sexual harassment policy - Sexual harassment — Acas Find (opens in a new tab)
Sexual safety in healthcare – organisational charter — NHS England (Published 4 September 2023) Find (opens in a new tab)
Bunce A., Hashemi L., Clark C. et al., Prevalence and nature of workplace bullying and harassment and associations with mental health conditions in England: a cross-sectional probability sample survey — BMC Public Health (2024) Find (opens in a new tab)
Li Lu et al., Worldwide prevalence of sexual harassment towards nurses: A comprehensive meta-analysis of observational studies — Journal of Advanced Nursing (2020) Find (opens in a new tab)
Sexual harassment in the workplace — Women and Equalities Committee, House of Commons Find (opens in a new tab)

Key Points

Please take a moment to review these points, reflect on their significance and consider how they apply to your own experiences.

Tick to confirm (optional):

Early recognition enables proportionate, timely action.
Harassment is judged by impact and power, not intent or 'banter'.
Persistent sexual jokes can create a hostile environment requiring intervention.
Use brief, neutral boundary scripts to stop inappropriate speech or contact.
Privately check in with affected staff or patients and offer support and options.
Document who/what/when/where/why, exact wording if relevant, witnesses and agreed next steps.
For unwanted patient touching: set a boundary, end the interaction if needed, rebook with a chaperone or different clinician.
Secure evidence (messages, screenshots, CCTV references) and follow organisational reporting routes.
Offer support actions (debrief, rota/pairing adjustments) and plan a review date.
Prevent recurrence via team briefings, signage, chaperone prompts and scenario practice in huddles.

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Identifying Sexual Harassment Prevention & Safe Culture

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Course Snapshot

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Length: 60 minutes CPD (1.00 CE Credits)
Appropriate for: Optometrists, dispensing opticians, optical assistants, practice managers, reception staff, locums, students and clinical supervisors.
Course Price: Free
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Mecourse Lifelong Learning (2025) ‘Scenario Page 1: Identifying Behaviour’. Mecourse Lifelong Learning [Online]. Available at: https://www.mecourse.com/scenario-page-1-identifying-behaviour [Accessed 12 May 2026].

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Mecourse Lifelong Learning. Scenario Page 1: Identifying Behaviour. Mecourse Lifelong Learning. Published August 22, 2025. Accessed May 12, 2026. https://www.mecourse.com/scenario-page-1-identifying-behaviour.

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GOC Standard 15: Sexual Harassment in Optical Practice (Level 1)

Reputation

CPD Certificates

Exam Cup

Scenarios: Identifying Behaviour

Scenario 1 - Persistent jokes

Scenario 2 - Patient touching

Helpful phrasing under pressure

Accountability checklist

Preventing recurrence

References (numbered in text) Why we include references

Key Points

Ask Dr. Aiden

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