A new duty to prevent sexual harassment: What do employers and employees need to do now?

A new duty was introduced on the 26th October 2024. It is a sobering thought when we compare the number of legislative attempts to ensure that staff are safe in their place of work and the number of high profile cases where employees have evidently suffered harm.

At Carrington we have a number of policies and procedures which highlight the steps needed to make a complaint or raise a grievance and these are in your staff handbook. These policies are still relevant and will overlap with our new policy on preventing sexual harassment.

Why have a separate policy? We believe that having a separate policy will draw attention to the need for vigilance in the workplace when it comes to behaviours. We believe in zero tolerance and want all workers to enjoy an inclusive and safe working environment. All behaviours that are a concern should be reported, whether informally or formally.

We want to create a culture where not only are all staff aware of behaviours that are acceptable but that all staff are aware of a shared responsibility to call out inappropriate behaviour or any sexual harassment.

All employees of Carrington have a responsibility to:

  • ●  Report any incidents of sexual harassment
  • ●  Read our sexual harassment policy
  • ●  Be aware of the significant consequences of breaching the policy