The new October 2024 sexual harassment laws – what employers need to do to

As already reported ,the new laws came into effect on Saturday 26th , from this date the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 introduces a new positive duty on employers to take reasonable steps to specifically prevent sexual harassment of employees in the course of their employment.

Last year, there were revelations about the CBI, which had to admit it had failed to sack sexual predators, the BBC also published wide ranging allegations of female surgeons being sexually assaulted in the NHS. There are high-profile employers being called out seemingly every week. The impact of sexual harassment cases on ordinary employers and their staff can be devastating.

The new duty is an anticipatory duty. It involves employers anticipating scenarios and taking proactive steps to prevent harassment.

According to the Equality & Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) updated technical guidance, this new preventative duty includes a duty to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment by third parties. The EHRC will have enforcement powers and be able to issue action plan notices to employers to remedy any breach of the legislation and a tribunal will be able to uplift compensation ordered by up to 25% if it finds that an employer failed to comply with the new duty.

An assessment will be needed in most cases of whether “reasonable steps” have been taken to prevent harassment. Those reasonable steps will need to be practical, involve a proactive risk assessment, workforce training and be tailored to the workplace.

To help you comply with the new duties, we are providing training for HR and senior managers. The training is interactive and includes case studies. We can also provide shorter training sessions for staff.

WHEN IS THE TRAINING?

The first “open training” will take place on 3rd December 2024 at Aston Hall Hotel & Conference Centre just off J31 of the M1, Sheffield.

YOUR TRAINER

Joan Pettingill, employment law partner, gunnercooke is also an ILM qualified trained trainer, mediator and executive coach. Joan has many years’ experience advising and training employers and their HR teams, managers and workforces. Joan is experienced in advising employers on how to handle sexual harassment complaints. Training takes place in small groups of up to 16 delegates to ensure maximum benefit from the course. The style is very interactive interspersed with engaging and informative case studies.

TRAINING YOUR HR TEAM & SENIOR MANAGERS

What topics are covered?

Part 1

· Harassment in the eyes of the law

· Workplace behaviour

· Sexual harassment and its special status

· Invoking the employer’s “all reasonable steps” defence

· A deep dive into the new positive duty to prevent sexual harassment which becomes law 26 October 2024

· Top tips for compliance - What employers should be doing now

*****Break*****

Part 2

· How to comply

· All reasonable steps defence

· Case studies

· Enforcement powers

· The 4-stage risk assessment process

· What a robust updated policy should include

· Supporting policies

· Tailoring training your managers and other employees

· Culture & reporting harassment

· Case study 2

· Predicted further bolstering of these rules as set out in the government’s recently released Employment Rights Bill 2024

Training may be arranged at your business or other suitable venue depending on location. The training itself may be delivered in ½ day depending on breaks and including interactive case studies.

Bonus package

The training package for HR & Senior Managers includes refreshments on the day and the following materials:

1. A certificate of attendance

2. A set of training notes

3. A risk assessment tool

4. A harassment and bullying policy (updated)

5. An equal opportunities policy (updated)

6. A guide for managers on how to manage harassment complaints

Timings

9am – 9.30am registration

9.30am start and introductions

10am – Part 1

11am – break

11.15am – Part 2

12.15pm – Round-up

12.30pm close

How much does the training cost?

The price per delegate including all the above and refreshments is £300+VAT payable on booking. A discount may be arranged if booking 5 or more delegates.

Please are limited and the training is sure to be popular so places will be allocated on a first come first served basis with further training dates to be released.

What about on-site training for employers?

Closed courses just for your organisation are available to book by arrangement.

UPDATED HARASSMENT TRAINING FOR STAFF

Our training for staff is shorter and even more interactive circa 1 hour plus Q&As as part of your roll out of training to staff.

Prices available on request subject to numbers, location, tailoring and whether a virtual option is required.

To book your place on our first open training day or find out more please contact [email protected].

m.07398 334 777.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

BEST WESTERN PLUS Aston Hall Hotel, Worksop Road, Aston, United Kingdom