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October 26th - Still Time to Reduce Risk of Sexual Harassment



The Equality Commission have just updated their guidance to help you get ready for October 26th and beyond!

 

They say that YOU will be unlikely to able to comply with the Preventative Duty unless you carry out a risk assessment.

 

Day to Day risk areas might include:-

 

  • Power imbalances

  • Lone working

  • Presence of alcohol

  • Seasonal events like Christmas Parties

  • Customer-facing duties

  • Events that raise tensions locally or nationally

  • Lack of diversity in the workforce

  • Workers being placed on secondment

  • Other well-known risk hotspots include inappropriate text and WhatsApp messages and

          personal relationships at work.

 

And don’t forget to think about these four questions: -

 

  1. Do the examples of misconduct and gross misconduct in your disciplinary policy match or cross reference your anti-harassment policy?

  2. Do your policies on use of IT, communications systems and social media include appropriate warnings against online harassment and encourage workers to report it, even where such harassment takes place on personal devices?

  3. Is it clear from performance objectives, that managers will be expected to deal with complaints of harassment appropriately

  4. Do you have reasonable steps in place to prevent sexual harassment of workers by third parties, such as clients and customers? 

 

 

 

The Equality Commission is clearly going to be robust in enforcing the new Preventative Duty on Sexual Harassment. In the last newsletter we reminded you that they are going to establish a hotline system for employees and employee representatives to notify them of breaches or potential breaches of the preventative duty. 

 

Time is short but we can help you with tailored briefings or courses for your:-

  • Directors and Senior Leadership Team

  • Managers and Supervisors

  • All Staff

 

Already our tailored training has included:-

  • Onsite or Online presentations to those in leadership

  • Half day or full day training courses -again on line or on site

  • Assistance with policy updates

 
 
 

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