Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace - what the new law means for employers

The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 came into effect on October 26, 2024, and requires employers to take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment.  This includes harassment from other employees, customers, or clients, and also harassment that occurs on social media. 

The main steps every employer is expected to take are:

• Conducting a risk assessment. 

• Having a robust policy in place – that is updated at least once a year.

• Putting in place meaningful training for managers - at least once a year and immediately for all new managers.

• An awareness programme for employees – so that they know what is not acceptable, from day one (so part of their induction).

• A reporting system – that also allows for anonymous complaints.

• A process by which all complaints are treated seriously, investigated (which requires further training for managers/approved investigators) and actioned.

• A support system for those who need it.

Further guidance can be found here