Navigating new workplace employment law: Preventing Sexual Harassment at Work Toolkit
In recent years, awareness of sexual harassment in the workplace and work-related environment has increased, largely due to social movements like #MeToo, along with advocacy groups, reports, and inquiries calling for stronger employee protection and greater employer accountability.
Despite this increased awareness, the scale of the issue remains a serious risk for both employers and employees, with a government survey finding that 29% of those in employment experienced sexual harassment at work in the previous 12 months.
In 2021, the government published a consultation on sexual harassment in the workplace, exploring various areas for potential reform.
Three years on, the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 will come into force on 26 October 2024.
The Act will
- Impose a new anticipatory legal duty on every employer to take all reasonable steps to prevent the sexual harassment of employees.
- Give employment tribunals the power to increase compensation for sexual harassment by up to 25% if the employer has breached the new legal duty to prevent sexual harassment.
How we can help
To help employers navigate the new law and protect themselves and their employees from sexual harassment, our award-winning employment law team, comprised of leading lawyers and HR professionals, has created a Preventing Sexual Harassment at Work Toolkit. This toolkit will provide everything you need to help your organisation comply with the new duty to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment.
We also offer bespoke, sector-specific training tailored to the individual needs of your organisation. Please get in touch to find out more.
Preventing Sexual Harassment at Work Toolkit
Our Toolkit can assist you with:
- Understanding what sexual harassment is.
- Complying with the new duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment.
- Effecting cultural change to reduce the incidence of sexual harassment at work/the work-related environment.
Our toolkit includes...
A customisable document for workplace implementation. Designed for employers to modify clauses and related policies based on their organisation's specific conditions.
Full staff survey for staff to evaluate the current climate and culture around sexual harassment, providing insights into workforce experiences.
Risk assessment template enabling organisations to assess the specific risks of sexual harassment in their organisation and implement mitigating actions to reduce risk.
This tool is designed to support employee relations processes by documenting the decision to suspend an employee. Completing this form ensures a clear record of the decision, which can serve as evidence if the suspension is later challenged.
Contact form
Key contacts
Emma Capper
Partner
Raymond Silverstein
Partner
Emma Hughes
Partner
Polly O'Malley
Partner
Jacqui Atkinson
Head of Employment Healthcare
