[UK] New sexual harassment protections come into force

From October 26, UK employees can expect their employers to take reasonable steps to protect them from sexual harassment under a new duty which is now in force, GOV.uk reports.

Employers now have a duty to anticipate when sexual harassment may occur and take reasonable steps to prevent it. If sexual harassment has taken place, an employer will be expected to take action to stop it from happening again. 

The government reportedly intends this to send a clear signal to all employers that they must take reasonable preventative steps against sexual harassment, encourage cultural change where necessary and reduce the likelihood of sexual harassment occurring.

Anneliese Dodds - Minister for Women and Equalities - said, “This government is determined to ensure that we not only Make Work Pay; we also make work safe. Too many people feel uncomfortable or unsafe at work due to sexual harassment and we are putting every effort into putting a stop to it. The preventative duty is an important step on the journey, and we will continue to improve protections for workers until everyone can thrive.

“The Equality Act provides legal protections against sexual harassment in the workplace. Despite this, persistent reports and revelations in recent years indicate that it remains a problem. So from today employers will be required to take ‘reasonable steps’ to prevent sexual harassment of their employees. We will strengthen this duty through our Employment Rights Bill, which had its Second Reading this week, and will boost economic growth by tackling poor productivity, insecure work and broken industrial relations.”

Guidance for employers on developing appropriate plans and policies has been published by the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) and the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The guidance reportedly outlines what behaviour needs to be addressed and how complaints should be handled, to help employers protect their staff and avoid tribunals.

Source: GOV.uk

(Quote via original reporting)

From October 26, UK employees can expect their employers to take reasonable steps to protect them from sexual harassment under a new duty which is now in force, GOV.uk reports.

Employers now have a duty to anticipate when sexual harassment may occur and take reasonable steps to prevent it. If sexual harassment has taken place, an employer will be expected to take action to stop it from happening again. 

The government reportedly intends this to send a clear signal to all employers that they must take reasonable preventative steps against sexual harassment, encourage cultural change where necessary and reduce the likelihood of sexual harassment occurring.

Anneliese Dodds - Minister for Women and Equalities - said, “This government is determined to ensure that we not only Make Work Pay; we also make work safe. Too many people feel uncomfortable or unsafe at work due to sexual harassment and we are putting every effort into putting a stop to it. The preventative duty is an important step on the journey, and we will continue to improve protections for workers until everyone can thrive.

“The Equality Act provides legal protections against sexual harassment in the workplace. Despite this, persistent reports and revelations in recent years indicate that it remains a problem. So from today employers will be required to take ‘reasonable steps’ to prevent sexual harassment of their employees. We will strengthen this duty through our Employment Rights Bill, which had its Second Reading this week, and will boost economic growth by tackling poor productivity, insecure work and broken industrial relations.”

Guidance for employers on developing appropriate plans and policies has been published by the Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) and the Equality and Human Rights Commission. The guidance reportedly outlines what behaviour needs to be addressed and how complaints should be handled, to help employers protect their staff and avoid tribunals.

Source: GOV.uk

(Quote via original reporting)