The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) have published their business plan for 2024/25.
It includes a very strong commitment to tackling sexual harassment in the workplace.
We saw The EHRC in action with McDonalds UK; all organisations and businesses need to ensure they meet the EHRC good practice guides and codes or practice in respect of preventing sexual harassment at work.
Those that do not may face unlimited financial penalties under sexual harassment and discrimination charges.
The EHRC 2024 – 2025 business plan states
“Tackling sexual harassment in the workplace
We have longstanding expertise and impact as a regulator in tackling inequalities in a changing workplace. This year we will lead a campaign to prepare employers for the new duties created by the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 (the 2023 Act) including by updating and consulting on our sexual harassment technical guidance. We will also consider where regulatory action needs to be taken to tackle breaches when the new regulations come into place.
We will evaluate our Preventing Sexual Harassment at Work Toolkit for the hospitality sector and consider how this might be adapted for other sectors. We will also continue to identify where there are breaches of equality duties in the workplace and take enforcement and litigation action where necessary and appropriate, Including in relation to the new duties in the 2023 Act.”