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Obstacles that hold employees back from reporting workplace s-xual harassment include psychological factors that should receive more attention in HR strategies, researchers say.

Two newly published studies, both led by Flinders University senior lecturer in mental health and wellbeing, Dr Annabelle Neall, examine common barriers to reporting incidents of workplace sexual harassment, and how reports and investigations are handled.

The first study involved surveys and interviews with more than 200 employees who had either been the target of or had witnessed workplace sexual harassment (WSH).

It found that feeling unclear about whether the behaviour is "serious enough", and bystanders thinking it's "not their place" to report, are common barriers.

Some witnesses also feared that reporting WSH would make matters worse, not better, for the person on the receiving end...