In response to a consultation on sexual harassment in the workplace that took place between February and October 2019, the government has pledged the following:
- A provision will be introduced to impose a duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment at work. Employers will only have a defence if they have used all reasonable efforts to prevent the harassment.
- Another provision will be introduced to impose a duty on employers to prevent third-party harassment at work. Again, employers will only have a defence if they have used all reasonable efforts to prevent the harassment.
- Discussions will take place to consider extending the enforcement powers of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) within sexual harassment cases. The EHRC will also be asked to publish a statutory code of practice, alongside practical guidance for employers, on sexual harassment in the workplace.
- Consideration will be given to extending the time limit (most likely to six months) for bringing any claims under the Equality Act 2010, not just for harassment claims.
