INSIGHT
The UK Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has published an eight-step guide for employers, on the new duty to prevent sexual harassment of employees, which comes into force on 26 October 2024.
The guide makes it clear that the eight steps identified are not an exhaustive list, but implementing them should help an employer take positive action to prevent and deal with sexual harassment in the workplace. The eight steps are:
· Developing an effective anti-harassment policy
· Engaging with staff
· Assessing and taking steps to reduce workplace risk
· Training all workers
· Ensuring an effective process for reporting issues
· Effective handling of harassment complaints
· Addressing potential third-party harassment
· Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of these steps.
The EHRC describes the duty to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment as the “preventative duty”. The EHRC recommends that, while the mandatory preventative duty only applies to sexual harassment, employers should similarly take steps to prevent all types of harassment at work.
Contact Quarmans to discuss how your organisation can address and implement these new obligations and recommendations. Contact Quarmans
