The Worker Protection Act 2023 came into force at the end of October. The new rules have put an additional responsibility on employees to proactively protect their employees from sexual harassment in the workplace.
The act includes the protection against misconduct from the companies third parties.
For the hospitality and retail sectors, it is important that companies take this act seriously to ensure that their staff are protected against mistreatment of third parties e.g. customers. Due to the number of customers that employees come into contact with, there may be a higher possibility is misconduct, in particular in pubs/bars, and hotels. It is not acceptable for employees to be subjected to inappropriate conduct e.g. comments of a sexual harassment, leering, unwanted touching.
How can this sector recognise and prevent sexual harassment?
Awareness of this act and the protection it provides is key to communicate to employees and company third parties. It is the responsibility of the company to make sure that customers are aware that any form of harassment is not tolerated. To build this protection into the company:
- Include the new act in the HR strategy, recognising the focus and responsibility on the employer to protect their employees
- Conduct a risk assessment to recognise the potential key risks
- Build awareness training into the Learning and Development programmes, providing training to employees, line managers, senior management. Incorporating refresher training to continue the message
- Launch a sexual harassment policy. Recommunicate the policy regularly
It is the responsibility of the employer, including the ongoing obligation, to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.
For advice on how to protect employees against sexual harassment, and the requirements under this new act, please get in touch with our HR Consultants on 0345 6460406 or fill in our online enquiry form and a member of our team will be in touch.