New guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) wants to see tougher action by employers if harassment in the workplace is to be ended.
Sexual Harassment and Harassment at Work – Technical Guidance explains employers’ legal responsibilities, such as a good anti-harassment policy and practical interventions to prevent and respond to harassment and victimisation at work; and it outlines a number of steps every employer should consider taking to make sure everything is being done to deal with the issue.
The guidance advises employers to assess and mitigate risks in the workplace; Consider using a reporting system that allows workers to raise an issue anonymously or in name; engage staff with regular one to ones and have an open-door policy; train staff on what sexual harassment in the workplace looks like, what to do if workers experience it, and how to handle complaints; act immediately when a harassment complaint is made; and treat harassment by a third party just as seriously as that by a fellow worker.
