Creating a Safe, Respectful Workplace for Everyone
Every employee has the right to work in an environment where they feel safe, respected and valued. From October 2026, UK employers have a legal duty to take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace, including harassment by third parties such as customers, suppliers, contractors and visitors.
Meeting this obligation requires more than having a policy in place. It means promoting a culture of respect, providing appropriate training, and ensuring employees understand their responsibilities and how to raise concerns confidently.
What is Sexual Harassment?
Sexual harassment is unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that has the purpose or effect of:
- Violating a person’s dignity.
- Creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.
The behaviour does not have to be intentional to be unlawful. What matters is the impact on the individual experiencing it.
Sexual harassment can take many forms, including inappropriate comments, unwanted physical contact, sexual jokes, suggestive messages, sharing explicit material, or other behaviour that makes someone feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
Behaviour that some people dismiss as “banter” or a joke may still amount to sexual harassment if it has this effect.
Why This Matters
Preventing sexual harassment is not simply about legal compliance. It is about creating a workplace where everyone can perform at their best, knowing they will be treated with dignity and respect.
By understanding what sexual harassment is and how to recognise it, we can all contribute to a more inclusive, professional and respectful working environment.
