Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace:
A Guide for HR Professionals.
Sexual harassment remains a significant issue in the workplace, with serious consequences for individuals and organisations alike. HR professionals play a crucial role in fostering a culture of respect and inclusivity while ensuring compliance with legal obligations.
With new legal requirements already in effect since October 2024, now is the time for businesses to take proactive steps to prevent workplace harassment.
Our newly CPD-certified course, Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, provides HR professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to identify, address, and prevent harassment. In this article, we share key insights from the course to help you create a safer, more inclusive workplace.
Understanding the Legal Framework: The Equality Act 2010 and New Employer Duties
The Equality Act 2010 defines sexual harassment as “unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that violates an individual’s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment.” Importantly, intent is irrelevant – if a behaviour makes someone feel uncomfortable, it can be classed as harassment.
Since October 2024, the Worker Protection Act has introduced a new legal duty for employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment. Failure to comply could result in increased compensation claims at Employment Tribunals – up to 25% higher for breaches of this duty.
- Employers must proactively prevent harassment, not just respond to complaints.
- Policies and training need to be updated to ensure compliance.
- A culture shift is necessary – harassment prevention should be embedded in organisational values.
Sexual harassment isn’t always obvious. It can take many forms, including:
- Verbal Harassment – inappropriate jokes, suggestive remarks, or unwanted comments about appearance.
- Non-Verbal Harassment – staring, leering, or sending explicit images.
- Physical Harassment – unwanted touching, brushing against someone, or blocking their movement.
- Digital Harassment – inappropriate messages, emails, or social media interactions.
- Quid Pro Quo Harassment – when career opportunities are linked to acceptance or rejection of sexual advances.
- Hostile Work Environment – a culture of persistent sexual jokes, comments, or displays that create discomfort.
A zero-tolerance approach is essential, so HR professionals should consider the following measures:
- Clear Policies – Ensure all employees understand what constitutes harassment and how to report it.
- Training & Awareness – Regular training for employees and managers is key to fostering an environment of respect.
- Strong Reporting Mechanisms – Confidential, accessible channels for reporting harassment should be in place.
- Effective Leadership – Senior leaders should model appropriate behaviour and reinforce a culture of accountability.
- Support for Victims – HR should provide guidance, counselling, and protection against retaliation.
- Proactive Investigations – Act on complaints swiftly and fairly to build trust and ensure compliance.
The best way to prevent harassment is to embed respect into workplace culture. HR teams can drive this change by:
- Encouraging open conversations about workplace behaviour.
- Promoting diversity and inclusion initiatives.
- Holding managers accountable for upholding anti-harassment policies.
- Ensuring policies are not just written but actively enforced.
By taking a proactive, structured approach, organisations can create an environment where employees feel safe, valued, and empowered to report concerns without fear.
How We Can Help
Our CPD-certified course, Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, provides HR professionals and managers with practical strategies to tackle harassment, understand legal obligations, and create a culture of respect. If you’re looking to ensure compliance, enhance employee well-being, and foster a positive workplace environment, this course is a valuable resource.
If you’d like to learn more about how this course can support your organisation, feel free to reach out.
Together, let’s build a workplace where respect is the standard – not the exception.
