Experts warn UK employers not to be blindsided by new sexual harassment law

Sexual harassment prevention specialists Brooke Jarvis and Poppy Murray are urging UK employers to be aware of the upcoming Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Bill, set to take effect on 26th October 2024.

The new law places a duty on all UK employers to take “reasonable steps” to prevent the sexual harassment of staff, starting with education and raising awareness. Employment tribunals will have the power to increase compensation by up to 25% if an employer fails to meet this duty, and the Equality and Human Rights Commission may also impose an additional fine.

Mrs Jarvis and Miss Murray—Co-founders of Transformative Culture Consultancy Ltd —expressed concern about the lack of awareness surrounding the new law.

Miss Murray said: “There has been a lack of fanfare around the new law, despite it being set to impact over one million employers. Many employers who have reached out to us had either only heard about the change very recently or had no idea where to begin with compliance. This law is a welcome step forward in combatting sexual harassment; however, employers are at risk of being blindsided without proper guidance and support.”

With a decade of combined experience, Mrs Jarvis and Miss Murray have developed a comprehensive training package to help employers educate staff on recognising, preventing, and responding to sexual harassment.

Mrs Jarvis, co-creator of an international male allyship toolkit, has worked extensively with the United Nations as UK Policing National Programme Manager for the HeForShe gender equality initiative. She has collaborated with International Corporation Alliance members like HSBC, the International Tennis Federation, and De Beers, and spoke at the 2023 World Policing Summit.

Miss Murray, a specialist in bystander intervention and sexual harassment and assault prevention, founded the BE LADS Campaign in 2021 after the Sarah Everard case, providing men with simple advice they can follow to help women feel safer walking alone. She has since delivered training to public and private sector organisations across the UK and internationally, including the International Society of Crime Prevention Practitioners, the Royal British Legion, and The Chelsea FC Foundation.

Mrs Jarvis emphasised the importance of employers taking their new obligation seriously: “Sexual harassment prevention is multi-faceted. It requires aligning staff with shared goals, creating a culture where sexual harassment is fully understood, and investing in continual learning. The Government has made it clear that employers’ efforts need to be more than a tick-box exercise, which necessitates meaningful cultural change over time. Employers should be cautious of ‘quick win’ training that may not meet their obligations.”

A 2023 poll from the Trades Union Congress revealed that 3 in 5 women have experienced harassment at work, rising to 2 in 3 women aged 25-34.

Miss Murray commented: “It is important to remember that anyone can be the victim or perpetrator of sexual harassment, but women are disproportionately affected. We have spent years ensuring our training addresses this issue without vilifying men or victimising women. Prevention training should be inclusive and accessible to everyone, regardless of gender.”

“We hope employers will see this new obligation as a fantastic opportunity to create safer, more respectful, and more inclusive internal cultures, which will ultimately have a positive impact on the wider community.”