What is sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment at work is any unwanted conduct of a specific sexual nature that takes place in the workplace. This behaviour can make victims feel violated, uncomfortable, and unsafe at work.

It's a serious offence and can make someone not want to come into work, leading to increased rates of absenteeism and employee turnover.

What are examples of sexual harassment in the workplace?

Sexual harassment can come in many forms, with the most serious being sexual assault. This act is inappropriate touching or groping that can severely affect someone's dignity.

Other examples are:

• Sexual advances, such as explicit sexual messages or uninvited back massages.

• Sexual favours, such as a senior member of staff seeking sexual favours in exchanges for an employee receiving a promotion.

Are employers liable for sexual harassment in the workplace?

Any person who chooses to commit sexual harassment whilst at work is liable. But under the Equality Act 2010 - employers are responsible for protecting the health, safety, and wellbeing of their employees.

So by law, you must do everything you reasonably can to prevent any forms of sexual harassment at work from happening. Not doing so can mean a claim is raised to an employment tribunal.

One way you can prevent sexual harassment from happening in your company is to create a sexual harassment policy.

What is a sexual harassment policy?

A sexual harassment policy is a document that clearly outlines what behaviour counts as sexual harassment. Such as verbal comments, physical gestures, and sexual jokes.

Within this policy you should include that sexual harassment can occur both in and out of the workplace - such as at a working lunch or business trip. As well as on social media. Employers must ensure all steps to prevent sexual harassment in their business are followed.

Download your sexual harassment policy now

Sexual harassment is a serious offence and as an employer, you should take all the steps to prevent it from occurring in your workplace.

Failure to do so could lead to an employee feeling victimised and not wanting to come into work. And if you're seen to have not acted to prevent it from happening - you could face a claim at an employment tribunal.

Peninsula offers expert advice on sexual harassment in the workplace, as well ongoing support with any HR issues you have.

Our teams provide 24/7 HR advice  which is available 365 days a year. We take care of your business needs when you work with our HR experts. Want to find out more? Contact us on 0800 028 2420 and book a free consultation with a qualified  HR consultant  today.

We also provide a full contracts and documentation service , where an expert will draft watertight policies for your business.