Duty to prevent sexual harassment
Since 26 October 2024, a new duty under the Equality Act 2010 requires employers to take “reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment of their employees.
This is not just a one-off exercise, and it’s not enough to simply have a policy and take steps if sexual harassment happens.
Employers must be proactive, assess risks, put in place measures to prevent sexual harassment and continue to monitor these measures.
What must employers do to prevent sexual harassment?
The guidance on the duty to prevent sexual harassment requires employers to consider:
- Developing an effective anti-harassment policy
- Engaging with staff to set expectations around workplace behaviours
- Training managers to spot inappropriate behaviours and understand how to address them
- Risk assessments to understand risks of harassment occurring in the workplace and the sector or involving customers, suppliers and other third parties
- Systems to report inappropriate behaviour, address concerns and monitor trends
Watch: Understanding Employers’ Responsibilities to Prevent Workplace Sexual Harassment
Why Choose Myerson to assist with the Duty to Prevent Sexual Harassment?
Failing to comply with the new duty to prevent sexual harassment puts employers at risk of:
- Disruption to employee relations and serious reputational damage.
- Increased compensation - awards in successful sexual harassment claims may rise by 25% if reasonable steps aren’t taken.
- Unlimited financial consequences - there’s no cap on the compensation that can be awarded.
Our specialist employment team provides expert advice and support to help employers navigate these new legal responsibilities, ensure compliance, and safeguard their businesses.
Our prevention of sexual harassment experience
Recent examples of our work in this area includes:
In-Person Training for a Global Engineering Company
We provided in-person employment training to the employees and managers of a global engineering company on duty to prevent sexual harassment and how to recognise inappropriate behaviour.
This training was recommended after the company upheld an employee's allegation of sexual harassment against a senior manager.
We also undertook the sexual harassment investigation and advised on the subsequent disciplinary process.
Sexual Harassment Risk Assessment for a Multi-National Organisation
Providing a sexual harassment risk assessment to a multi-national professional service organisation to enable them to comply with the duty to prevent sexual harassment.
Bespoke Sexual Harassment Policy for a Global Manufacturer
Drafting a bespoke sexual harassment policy for a leading global manufacturer.
Why work with our employment team?
- Our specialist team of employment solicitors is highly recommended in the independent Legal 500 directory and is described as an ‘excellent’ and ‘experienced’ team. Therefore, you can be assured that you will deal with some of the best employment solicitors in the country.
- We are proud to have been recognised as the “Employment Team of the Year” at the prestigious Manchester Legal Awards 2024.
- We provide city centre standards of advice and service levels due to our policy of recruiting only the best specialist employment solicitors from leading firms.
- Your work will be carried out by a qualified employment law solicitor who knows your business requirements best. We also carry out our work at the appropriate level, depending on the complexity, sensitivity, and importance of the employment issue.
- We work closely with our clients to ensure that we meet their expectations both in terms of their objectives and in relation to costs. Our employment solicitors know that clarity on costs is vitally important to our clients, especially at a time when businesses are challenged by sudden and dramatic changes to economic circumstances.
- We have extensive experience in dealing with a wide range of employers and employment disputes, giving you fast, helpful advice based on knowledge of your business, its history, and pressures.
- We provide a partner-led service and a genuinely accessible team of experienced employment law solicitors due to our size, structure, and unique culture.
Testimonials
Phil Davies - General Counsel and Compliance Director, TATA Chemicals Europe
I’ve worked with Myerson for many years, primarily on employment matters. I trust them to give me straightforward, pragmatic advice; not just options, but a steer on what to do. That’s what I need as a GC. They’re a credible alternative to larger firms when the balance of cost, quality and responsiveness really matters.
Vetted Limited t/a Checkatrade (UK)
I found Myerson to be flexible, with a good understanding of risk and when to take it. They also asked the right questions.
Mr. Heald
The service was excellent. Vicki was not only very professional, but timely in her responses and understanding of key timelines. I would definitely use Myerson again.
Michelle Hickman - HR Manager, Royal Exchange Theatre
Myerson were quick to respond to our initial enquiry and once engaged, dealt with our business swiftly. Charlotte and the team were attentive and friendly, while maintaining a strong sense of professionalism. We were very impressed by their high level of customer service, and their support gave us security and confidence throughout their engagement. We recommend Myerson and will definitely engage them again.
Mr Brown
Anjali was very helpful and proactive in resolving my situation. She guided me through the process and achieved a great outcome. Always professional and always responsive!
Legal 500
Joanne Henderson provides ‘a first-class service' to businesses across a wide range of sectors and is also seasoned in the Employment Tribunal, and the ’very commercial' Charlotte Gilbert, who advises employers on restructurings and TUPE issues. Gilbert is also experienced in discrimination and whistleblowing claims in the Employment Tribunal.
Anon
The support team manage our expectations seamlessly, meaning we can speak to any of the team, and know that they will be aware of any ongoing enquiries. Particular mention and thanks to Vicki, who has supported us most recently, and made it easier for us to make decisions with her pragmatic advice. I personally feel I am learning from Myerson with each interaction. Super-happy with the service, thank you!
Legal 500
Very knowledgeable and the constant contact and keeping you informed sets them above their competition.
Legal 500
The firm provides a customer focus service. They provide general employment law updates and advice into our business on a tailored basis, and provide specific advice to a range of circumstances.
Legal 500
The personal relationship and having a key contact at the firm. Not only do you have a key contact per department, but also at the firm overall. They also are a integral part of the community, holding events and being invited to these as part of networking is not only fun but also worthwhile.
Legal 500
Myerson’s is small enough to be able to form personal relationships with the solicitors, yet large enough that they can provide an excellent and knowledgeable service. They have good relationships with Counsel in different areas and are able to recommend individuals for cases.
Anon
Excellent experience end to end I recently used Myerson Solicitors for assisting with my exit from the business and Charlotte’s advice, knowledge and support was great from start to finish. fully recommend.
Legal 500
The team were exceptional in understanding what was a complex matter, they utilised their knowledge of the law and technologies to support the case and ultimately their collaborative effort led to a successful result.
Anon
Excellent support. I turned to Vicki for support with an employment matter. Vicki was always clear, concise and incredibly communicative. She made the entire process easy to understand and much less stressful to navigate. Couldn’t recommend her enough.
Legal 500
Joanne Evans is extremely pleasant, accessible and people friendly, but also with significant expertise and underlying grit.
Legal 500
Myerson has a strong employment team with long-established clients and a great reputation. Their lawyers are approachable and pragmatic, and there is a consistently high level of advice given across the team
Greg McMahon, Mitchells & Butlers Plc
As always, fantastic support and crystal clear, constructive and eminently sensible advice. A joy to work with you!
Legal 500
Employment specialist Joanne Evans has ’significant expertise and underlying grit' with significant experience in large-scale redundancies, collective consultations, trade union disputes, corporate support, and advice to senior individuals.
Legal 500
The team at Myerson are incredible. They are available when needed urgently and I never have to go over old ground with anyone when progressing with cases. Their people are knowledgeable without being overwhelming, and explain everything clearly. They understand that we are not experts, so the advice is tailored to our needs and delivered in such a way that we can then make informed decisions.
Legal 500
Joanne Henderson has been invaluable in her advice and guidance to our organisation. She provides a first-class service. She is warm, personable and professional, and she is not only an expert in her field but also has a very pragmatic and thoughtful approach to her advice, which is particularly valuable.
Legal 500
Jack Latham truly cares for his clients and the outcome, he is very professional, and has excellent knowledge of the law and legal systems.
Legal 500
Charlotte Gilbert is very commercial and understands senior staff complex matters very well. She is happy to hear your thoughts too, and the advice is then very tailored to your needs and ready for implementation rather than just legal opinion.
Legal 500
Excellent knowledge with a really pragmatic approach, discusses options with pros and cons and helps plan strategies to mitigate risks. The company has a really team-oriented approach and there is no hierarchical nature at all. The team are clearly loyal to the firm and the firm is committed to inclusiveness.
Chambers UK
Myerson has a strong employment team that is recognised for its work for household-name companies. The team offers advice to clients on matters including industrial relations, redundancies and senior executive terminations. The team also has further strength in defending employers before employment tribunals in relation to claims such as whistle-blowing and unfair dismissal.
Chambers UK
Myerson is very knowledgeable, clear and proactive with ideas and recommendations. I'm very happy with the service provided. My case was handled very effectively and efficiently.
Chambers UK
Myerson gives me practical, no-nonsense advice that's tailored to what I'm looking for. They don't deal in black and white solutions, knowing when they need to find the grey.
Chambers UK
Myerson offers in-depth knowledge, informed advice, empathy and great support. Their service is second to none; I really don't know how they could improve. Their awareness of the market is first-rate.
Chambers UK
The Myerson team are firmly committed to achieving commercial results for clients with the best outcomes. It is a firm that prides itself on having the finger on the pulse of every case.
Chambers UK
Their advice is always carefully curated, thoughtful and presented in a clear format, which enables us to easily make decisions on our actions. They're available when needed, even at short notice.
Meet Our Employment Solicitors
Home-grown or recruited from national, regional or City firms. Our employment lawyers are experts in their fields and respected by their peers.
Charlotte Gilbert
Charlotte is the Head of Myerson HR and a Partner in our Employment Team
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