24-hour HR advice
Unlimited, round-the-clock guidance from experts who know your business.
Google Rating
Based on 1,900+ Reviews
Sexual harassment at work could happen despite your best intentions, but there are reasonable steps you can take to reduce the chance of it occurring. And if it does happen, you must take the appropriate steps to ensure it is dealt with lawfully - and that you provide the utmost support and care to any victim(s).
By law, employers must do everything they reasonably can to prevent sexual harassment at work. If businesses fail to care for employees experiencing sexual harassment, they could risk facing a sexual harassment claim at an employment tribunal.
If sexual harassment occurs in your workplace, it’s likely to negatively affect your business. Not only will your employee have experienced a serious violation of their dignity, but it could affect staff morale as a whole.
The impact to your business might be:
All of which can lead to employee disengagement, absenteeism, and open you up to tribunal claims.
You must do everything you reasonably can to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. This means providing equality training, creating a sexual harassment policy, and having check-ins with your employees.
Moreover, you must manage any sexual harassment claims at work with the severity they require. This includes taking action immediately and supporting the wellbeing of any victims.
Failure to do so could result in sex discrimination claims to an employment tribunal. As a result, you could face expensive legal costs, as well as damage to your business's reputation.
Seek professional advice from Peninsula on workplace sexual harassment. Our teams offer 24/7 HR advice which is available 365 days a year.
Tens of thousands of UK business owners reduce risk and worry with Peninsula support. Discover their stories below…
“We’re reliant on donors and sponsorship, so we need to be careful with our budget. Peninsula helps us streamline processes and the ways we were doing things, which in turn, as a charity, saves us money because it saves time”
Adam, CEO
Empower Youth Zones