Preventing sexual harassment in the workplace – what you need to know before October

From October 2024 employers will be under a new duty (The New Worker Protection (Amendment of the Equality Act 2010) Act 2023), to prevent sexual harassment of their employees in the workplace, a duty that extends not just in the context of employee on employee interactions, but with respect to third parties, including customers/clients and suppliers. This is following substantive amendments to the Equality Act 2010.

In this webinar you will consider the following:

• The background to the establishment of the new duty to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace
• The statutory framework of the revised Equality Act 2010
• The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Guidance on sexual harassment and harassment at work which outlines the expectations on employers
• An overview of the quirks, tensions and ambiguities likely to be explored in future case law
• The practical nature of the 25% uplift to compensation
• Practical steps to consider for employers to mitigate their risks

This new legislation changes the sexual harassment legal framework, not just of claims but exposes employers to the risk of enforcement by the EHRC.  How employers respond to these new duties will be key, from both a claimant and a respondent angle in relation to future workplace relationships and Employment Tribunal claims.

This session, which will predominantly be aimed at employment lawyers, will also be of interest to law firm management teams who of course as employers must comply with the new duty and be alert to the risks arising.

Expect a practical session which creates a to do list of things to consider and address.