Martin Searle Solicitors’ Employment Law Team has launched its annual campaign #MeToo Matters, running throughout January 2026, to help stamp out sexual harassment in the workplace and raise awareness of employers’ legal duties and employees’ rights.

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The campaign will share practical guidance and free resources for both employers and employees, alongside free workshops and confidential advice calls.

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Legal duty to prevent sexual harassment

From 26 October 2024, the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 introduced a new preventative duty requiring employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of workers in the course of their employment. This applies across workplace settings, including external events such as conferences and work social events.

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Why the campaign matters

Many employers are still unaware of the preventative duty or have not yet put key steps in place. A survey reported in October 2025 found that 41% of employers had not carried out a sexual harassment risk assessment, and more than half were concerned they had not done enough to comply with the new requirements.

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Demand for advice has also risen. Acas reported that calls to its helpline about workplace harassment increased in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024. Sexual harassment is also reported to disproportionately affect certain groups, including younger workers, LGBT+ people, disabled people, and people from ethnic minority backgrounds. TUC research published in late 2024 found that 65% of Black women surveyed reported experiencing sexual harassment at work.

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Free advice and resources

Fiona Martin, Director and Head of Employment Law, said:
“As a campaigning law firm, we are committed to access to justice, and to employers meeting their obligations to protect their staff from sexual harassment. Throughout January we will be providing free advice to employers and employees on preventing sexual harassment at work.”

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Martin Searle Solicitors have produced a series of free factsheets, case studies and FAQs for employers and employees covering sexual harassment at work. You can access the campaign hub here:
https://www.ms-solicitors.co.uk/metoo-matters/.

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Free virtual workshops

Thursday 22 January 2026 (10.30am – 12.00pm)
Laura Donnelly will run a free virtual workshop for employee advisers and Trade Union representatives: ‘Sexual Harassment at Work – How to Support Employees Bringing and Defending Allegations’.
To book, click here:
https://www.ms-solicitors.co.uk/employee-events/sexual-harassment-at-work-how-to-support-employees-bringing-and-defending-allegations-3/.

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Tuesday 27 January 2026 (10.30am – 12.00pm)
Fiona Martin will run a virtual seminar for employers in the charity and non-profit sector: ‘Preventing Sexual Harassment At Work – What Employers Need To Know’ (in association with Community Works).
To book, click here:
https://www.communityworks.org.uk/events/preventing-sexual-harassment/.

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Free confidential advice calls

Martin Searle Solicitors are offering employers and employees a free initial 30-minute confidential advice call throughout January 2026, to help employees understand their rights and to support employers in creating a working environment where sexual harassment will not be tolerated.

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The legal helpline will run on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout January, starting Tuesday 6 January 2026, from 3.30pm – 5.30pm on 01273 609911.
You can email to book an appointment at info@ms-solicitors.co.uk.

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Find out more

For more information about the #MeToo Matters campaign, please visit:
https://www.ms-solicitors.co.uk/metoo-matters/.