The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has indicated it will be updating its current guidance and Employment Code of Practice to reflect the forthcoming duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. This follows the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 having received Royal Assent in October 2023.
What does this mean for employers?
The Act will introduce a duty on employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of their employees. It will also give employment tribunals the power to uplift sexual harassment compensation by up to 25% where an employer is found to have breached the new duty to prevent sexual harassment.
Employment disputes are predicted to increase this year and next as companies and staff continue to adjust to new methods of working. With a recent award of almost £100,000 to a finance executive found to have been harassed by her boss, employers are encouraged to review the updated guidance and Code expected later this year.
mfg's Practical Employment Workshops
If your company wishes to keep ahead of the changes we shall be running practical workshops throughout 2024 on this and other key employment topics.
Details can be obtained by contacting Chris Piggott, Employment Partner, at chris.piggott@mfgsolicitors.com, or Alena Dudrah, Employment Paralegal, at alena.dudrah@mfgsolicitors.com.
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