The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 came into force on 26 October 2024, placing a legal duty on employers to take ‘reasonable steps’ to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. This critical change applies to businesses of all sizes and sectors, meaning it’s time to act now.
Why is this important?
Sexual harassment in the workplace remains a widespread issue, with 5% of people aged 16 and over reporting experiencing sexual harassment in the past year, and over 25% of those incidents occurring in the workplace [1].
This new legislation is designed to strengthen protections for employees and ensure workplaces are safe, supportive environments.
As an employer, you can now be held liable for failing to prevent harassment, even if you weren’t aware the conduct occurred. If a claim is successful, compensation can be uplifted by up to 25%—a costly risk for businesses.
What does the new duty mean for you?
The Act requires employers to take ‘reasonable steps’ to prevent harassment of employees, whether by colleagues or third parties like clients, customers, or members of the public. But, what is meant by reasonable steps?
Reasonable steps could include:
- Conducting a workplace risk assessment to identify and address areas of concern
- Introducing or updating a sexual harassment policy to set clear expectations and processes
- Updating employee handbooks to outline reporting procedures and outcomes
- Delivering training for managers and employees on handling sensitive disclosures effectively
- Monitoring compliance and tracking the impact of preventative measures
Practical support for employers
Understanding and implementing these changes can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. We specialise in helping organisations like yours manage compliance with a holistic approach, combining legal advice, HR expertise, training, and coaching. Using our expertise, we’ve created a guidance note exploring the definition of sexual harassment, providing key takeaways from the new legislation and practical steps that we consider employers should be taking to satisfy their legal obligations and take a positive stand against sexual harassment in the workplace.
In our practical guide, we cover:
- What the new legislation means for employers
- Clear actions to comply with the duty to prevent harassment
- Steps to protect both your employees and your business
[1] https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/crimeandjustice/bulletins/experiencesofharassmentinenglandandwales/december2023
Learn more
This article provides a brief insight into the new duty and your responsibilities as an employer. If you want to learn more, download our ebook.
