Taking Reasonable Steps: Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

Please join Matt Jenkin and Alex Harper from our Employment team for a webinar on the upcoming duty for employers to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.

In recent years, there has been a significant spotlight on workplace culture, particularly focussing on the prevention of sexual harassment given the rise of the #MeToo movement. With growing awareness and changing legal landscapes, it’s imperative for employers to stay ahead of the curve and equip themselves with the necessary knowledge and tools to effectively address and prevent such incidents within their organisations. However, what was once a “nice to have” for employers, will soon become a “need to have” with the upcoming positive duty for employers to take “reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment coming into force in October this year.

Throughout this webinar, we will explore the legal obligations likely to be placed upon employers in the UK following the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act) Act 2023 coming into force in October 2024. Alex and Matt bring a wealth of experience and expertise in employment law, and will be going through the key legislative framework, the latest guidance and best practice to ensure compliance, as well as fostering a safe and inclusive work environment.

By the end of this training, we aim for you to:

• Understand what the new duty coming into force means and what “reasonable steps” are likely to be;
• Recognise your obligations as employers under UK law to prevent and address sexual harassment;
• Identify proactive measures and policies to create a culture of respect, dignity, and equality within your organisation; and
• Equip yourselves with practical tools and resources to implement robust prevention and reporting mechanisms.

HR professionals, directors and line managers already play a pivotal role in an organisation’s culture and ensuring that all employees feel safe, respected, and valued. However, with the new duty coming into force, employers will be under even greater scrutiny as to the steps they are taking. Come to our session to learn how to cultivate workplaces where not only every employee can be safe in the knowledge that they’re protected from harassment and discrimination, but also as an employer you can be confident that you’ve taken the reasonable steps necessary to comply with your new legal obligations.