Employers will be liable if they fail to take all reasonable steps to prevent employees from experiencing sexual harassment at work.
Coinciding with the Home Office unveiling its violence against women strategy, the Government Equalities Office published its response to the 2019 workplace consultation on all forms of workplace harassment – including sexual harassment.
It includes number of commitments to protect workers from being subjected to inappropriate and lewd behaviour by colleagues and third parties, including customers and clients.
Joan Pettingill, Director - Head of Employment Law & HR Services at Wake Smith Solicitors, encourages companies to gen up on Equal Opportunities and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policies and training.
“The new legislation, once passed, will make employers liable for not taking action to prevent sexual harassment at work.
“Organisations will be required to take proactive reasonable, proportionate steps, depending on size and circumstances.
“Employers are advised not to fall foul of the new rules, not least because of the damage to reputation it can cause making it harder to recruit and retain talent and risk of compensation claims”.
Wake Smith runs half-day Equal Opportunities Training and also strategic Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) packages for employers to embed the correct behaviours into organisations.
They include training sessions for managers including understanding what equal opportunities is, relevant case studies, interactive training, how to discuss issues with staff correctly and follow up sessions.
For further advice contact Joan Pettingill at Wake Smith Solicitors on 0114 266 6660.
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