A private members bill has been put before Parliament proposing to expand employers’ health and safety duties to include preventing workplace harassment.
Currently, the law requires that employers take reasonably practicable steps to ensure the health and safety of their employees. The proposed bill would add specific obligations to address violence and harassment in the workplace, with a focus on sexual harassment including gender-based violence, sexual harassment, stalking, and psychological abuse.
If the Bill becomes law, employers would be required to:
- Conduct risk assessments to identify potential harassment risks.
- Implement policies and procedures to eliminate these risks.
- Provide employee training on recognising and preventing harassment.
This bill would expand upon the enforcement mechanisms already in place following last year’s change to the law requiring employers to take proactive steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace, including against third party harassment. Any breach could result in action by the HSE for example.
If you have any questions relating to this bill or sexual harassment in the workplace please contact our Employment Team on 0345 646 0406 or fill in our online enquiry form and a member of our Team will be in touch.