New protection against sexual harassment | Article, News | News

The Worker Protection Act passed last year comes into effect on October 26 and introduces a new proactive obligation for employers to take preventative measures to eliminate sexual harassment in the workplace.

UNISON worked with the TUC and the Fawcett Society in support of this private bill from Wera Hobhouse MP.

Under the Equality Act 2010, employers are liable for sexual harassment committed by their employees during their employment unless they can demonstrate that they have taken all reasonable steps to prevent the harassment.

This liability is further strengthened by the introduction of the Worker Protection Act, an amendment to the Equality Act 2010.

Although the Worker Protection Act does not include liability for harassment by third parties, employers are still expected to take ‘reasonable steps’ to prevent sexual harassment by any perpetrator, including third parties such as patients, customers, clients, service users, contractors and members. of the public.

The exclusion of third party harassment provisions from the law means that much work remains to be done to make the measures introduced effective.

UNISON will continue to campaign to further strengthen the law to ensure everyone is protected and has access to justice.

The guidelines of the union, Sexual harassment is a problem in the workplacehas been updated with the new Worker Protection Act. The new guidelines are available at the online catalogue (stock no. 4167) and can also be downloaded from the UNISON website.

National Women’s Officer Bukky Akinwale said: “Despite years of campaigning and fighting against sexual harassment, sexual harassment is still shockingly prevalent in many workplaces. Employers should strive to provide an equal and safe work environment in which all employees are free from sexual harassment.

“UNISON will continue to campaign and fight for a safe working environment for all its members.”