A University of Melbourne study has found people employed in casual and contract work are up to ten times more likely to suffer unwanted sexual advances than those in full time permanent positions.

Associate Professor Anthony LaMontagne’s study looked at different types of employment to see if they differed in sexual harassment rates.

Associate Professor LaMontagne says his research shows, “People who are employed in casual jobs are about five times more likely to be subjected to unwanted sexual advances.”

“The research also shows that people in contract positions are about ten times more likely to be sexually harassed at work.” “The study is important new evidence because precarious employment has been associated with a variety of adverse working conditions as well as with poorer mental and physical health.”

“Our study also shows that 79 per cent of those who experience unwanted sexual advances at work are women,” Associate Professor LaMontagne says.

Victorian Health Promotion Foundation CEO Todd Harper says: “Not only are women more likely to experience sexual harassment but females make up bigger proportions of industries which use more casual and contract labour.”

“There is a strong link between sexual harassment and mental health problems. This behaviour is costly and preventable,” Mr Harper says.

“These findings suggest that workers in precarious employment arrangements need much greater protections from unwanted sexual advances,” Associate Professor LaMontagne says.