The new Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 will take effect on October 26, 2024, imposing a new positive legal obligation on employers to take “reasonable steps” to protect their employees from sexual harassment during their employment, enforced by The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). The EHRC has updated its guidance to help employers understand their obligations under the amended act, including a new section on an employer’s preventive duty.
Employers should review and update, as necessary, their policies and practices on sexual harassment and consider implementing any additional actions (e.g., staff training) to comply with the new requirements.