Safer hotels: implementation and effectiveness evaluation of interventions to prevent and manage sexual harassment
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN54872354 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN54872354 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Protocol serial number | AFA 20240139 |
| Sponsor | Karolinska Institutet |
| Funder | AFA Försäkring |
- Submission date
- 22/10/2025
- Registration date
- 08/12/2025
- Last edited
- 08/12/2025
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Overall study status
- Ongoing
- Condition category
- Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Sexual harassment is a serious problem in the hotel and restaurant industry, where employees often face unwanted behaviour from colleagues, managers, and guests. This can have a negative impact on mental health. Although there are many ideas about how to prevent and respond to harassment, few have been properly tested. This study aims to find out whether a workplace policy and training programme can help hotel staff feel safer and more supported when it comes to reporting harassment.
Who can participate?
Around 600 employees from hotels in a large hotel chain in Stockholm are taking part in the study. Participation is arranged through the hotels involved.
What does the study involve?
Participants will be asked to complete questionnaires about their experiences and feelings of safety at work. The study will look at how well the new policy and training are working and how they are being used in practice.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
While the study does not directly aim to reduce harassment in the short term, it may lead to better support for those affected and improvements in how harassment is handled at work. There are no known risks to taking part, and all responses will be kept confidential.
Where is the study run from?
The study is being carried out in hotels in Stockholm, Sweden, in collaboration with researchers and hotel staff.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
September 2024 to June 2027
Who is funding the study?
AFA Insurance (Sweden)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Emma Cedstrand, emma.cedstrand@ki.se
Contact information
Public, Scientific, Principal investigator
Solnavägen 4
Stockholm
11365
Sweden
 ORCID ID |
0000-0003-0567-7574 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +46 702713404 |
| emma.cedstrand@ki.se |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Single-center controlled implementation study with before and after design |
| Secondary study design | Non randomised study |
| Participant information sheet | 48246 PIS.pdf |
| Scientific title | Safer Hotels: Interventions to improve the reporting of sexual harassment and psychological safety by preventing and managing sexual harassment in hotels -a controlled trial and implementation and study |
| Study objectives | Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of a workplace sexual harassment policy and training program in improving reporting behaviours and psychological safety in hotels in Sweden Hypothesis: If the interventions (policy, training and formal reporting system) are implemented we expect an increase in the reporting of sexual harassment and an increase in self-reported psychological safety. Implementation objectives: 1. Are the interventions delivered as planned (fidelity)? 2. Does the stakeholders accept the interventions? 3. Will the interventions improve the attitudes to reporting, subjective norms around reporting and perceived behavioural control? |
| Ethics approval(s) |
Approved 30/05/2023, Swedish Ethical Review Authority (Etikprövningsmyndigheten) (Box 2110, Uppsala, 75002, Sweden; +46 (0)10-47750800; registrator@etikprovning.se), ref: 2023-02032-01 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Prevention of poor mental health |
| Intervention | We have three intervention activities: 1. A new policy about sexual harassment 2. Education and Training regarding the policy, conflict management and naming sexual harassment, i.e., discussions about which behaviors are accepted or not 3. A formal reporting system. The intervention activities build on a theoretical model called Ethical Infrastructure. The activities have been associated with a positive conflict management climate and perceived satisfaction with the organisation´s harassment management. The Education and Training are directed both to managers and employees. The managers will be trained in how to apply the policy in their organisation and conflict management. They will be educated in legislation knowledge and reporting procedures. For employees the training will include routines for reporting sexual harassment and naming sexual harassment. Controls get no measures. The interventions will be given late 2025 to first half of 2026. A baseline questionnaire have been sent in September 20025 to both intervention groups and controls. A follow up questionnaire is planned for September 2026. |
| Intervention type | Behavioural |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
1. Psychological safety will be assessed through the sub-scale "Interpersonal Risk‐Taking", which is part of the validated Psychological Safety Inventory at baseline and follow-up |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Attitudes will be assessed with 7 items at baseline and follow-up |
| Completion date | 30/06/2027 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Employee |
|---|---|
| Age group | Mixed |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Upper age limit | 100 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 800 |
| Key inclusion criteria | All employees at enrolled hotels |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Under the age of 18 years 2. Employees on parental and long term sick-leave during the baseline survey. 3. Employees employed less than six months before the follow up-survey. |
| Date of first enrolment | 05/09/2025 |
| Date of final enrolment | 30/09/2026 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Sweden
Study participating centres
Solnavägen 4
Stockholm
11365
Sweden
Stockholm
11365
Sweden
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not expected to be made available |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | 23/10/2025 | No | Yes | ||
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Additional files
- 48246 PIS.pdf
- participant information sheet
Editorial Notes
22/10/2025: Trial's existence confirmed by Swedish Ethical Review Authority.
