Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
Employees are protected under The Equality Act 2010 against sexual harassment in the workplace and on the 26th of October 2023, The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 received Royal Assent.
This new legislation will come into effect from October 2024 and will mean that an employer will have a statutory duty to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of their employees during their employment.
Reasonable steps could include: –
- Creating a positive and respectful workplace culture
- Training on preventing sexual harassment
- Talking to your employees
- Implementing policies and procedures
If an employer does not take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment, enforcement steps can then be taken by the Equality and Human Rights Commission and employment tribunals will be able to apply an uplift of up to 25% to an employees’ compensation should they be successful in bringing a sexual harassment case.
For further guidance please contact one of our experts today or telephone us on 01483 362732.