HR Hub
Sexual harassment: code of practice to be published
A new code on tacking sexual harassment at work is to be published – but not until after various consultations have been carried out.
The plans include:
- introducing a new statutory code of practice on sexual harassment, to be developed by the EHRC
- commissioning a survey to gather regular data on the prevalence of sexual harassment
- consulting on non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)
- consulting on the evidence base for a new legal duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace
- consulting on strengthening and clarifying the laws on third-party harassment in the workplace
- consulting on whether further legal protections are required for interns and volunteers
- exploring the evidence for extending employment tribunal time limits for Equality Act 2010 cases
- ensuring the public sector takes action to tackle and prevent sexual harassment
- working with regulators for whom sexual harassment is particularly relevant to ensure they are taking appropriate action
- considering whether further learnings can be taken from the criminal justice system to use in the employment tribunal system, to ensure vulnerable claimants have appropriate protection, and
- checking that the list of organisations who can receive ‘whistleblowing’ information includes the right bodies