Sexual harassment can occur in any workplace, but pubs, bars, restaurants, hotels and nightclubs can face a distinctive combination of risks. Employees may work late at night, deal with customers who have consumed alcohol and operate in busy or informal environments. Hospitality also employs many young, temporary and casual workers who may feel uncomfortable challenging inappropriate behaviour or reporting a senior colleague.

Many licensing problems do not start with major failures. They often begin with simple staff mistakes: failing to ask for ID, serving someone who is already drunk, not recording a refusal, ignoring licence conditions, or not understanding what to do when a difficult situation arises.