Throughout January 2025, the Martin Searle Solicitors Employment Law Team are campaigning to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.

In October 2024, new legislation came into force as part of the Worker Protection Act 2023. This means that all employers will have to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of workers in the course of their employment. This duty includes events such as external conferences and work Christmas parties.

Sadly, sexual harassment remains a problem in many workplaces. Recent media coverage has focused on the high profile case involving the former Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed, who is alleged to have carried out multiple acts of sexual harassment and assault towards his staff.

The statistics are shockingly high – a 2020 survey carried out by the Government Equalities Office found that 30% of women had experienced sexual harassment at work over the past year, as compared with 27% of men. A 2023 poll carried out by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) found than one in three people who experienced sexual harassment at work told their employer about what was happening. Employment Tribunal cases involving sexual harassment have increased by nearly 50% between 2019 and 2023, but given that many incidences of sexual harassment are not reported, this is probably just the tip of the iceberg.

Incidences of sexual harassment are higher among those aged under 35, people identifying as LGBT+, and those with a disability, and people from ethnic minority groups. A TUC report published in December 2024 found that 65% of Black women had experienced sexual harassment in the workplace.

Whilst the Worker Protection Bill 2023 is a welcome development in terms of the onus being on employers to take taking preventative steps to change their working culture to end sexual harassment in the workplace, many employers are unaware of their new responsibilities under the Bill. A survey carried out by CultureShift in October 2024 found that nearly half of UK businesses did not know that the Worker Protection Act was coming into force that month, whilst only 39% felt that their business was prepared to deal with sexual harassment allegations.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has provided detailed guidance for employers, including eight steps that employers should take in order to prevent sexual harassment at work. Although many employers will be putting these steps into practice, many will not, and a significant number of employees will not be aware of the new protection that the Worker Protection Act offers them.

Fiona Martin, Director and Head of Employment Law, said “We welcome the Worker Protection Act and the new duties that employers must put in place to avoid sexual harassment taking place in their workplaces. As a community law firm we are committed to access to justice, and employers meeting their obligations to protect their works.

Throughout January we will be providing free advice to employers and employees around preventing sexual harassment at work.

Where there are allegations of sexual harassment, we ensure that employers are able to run a thorough and fair investigation to ensure that they deal with the allegations fairly as some allegations will be unfounded and motivated by other factors. By supporting employees about their legal rights, and educating employers around best practice, we hope to make sexual harassment a thing of the past”.

Martin Searle Solicitors have produced a series of free factsheets, case studies and FAQs for employers and employees covering sexual harassment at work.

On Thursday 23 January 2025, from 10.30am – 12pm, Martin Searle Solicitors will be running a virtual seminar for employers in the charity and non-profit sector on ‘Preventing Sexual Harassment At Work – What Employers Need To Know’. To book, click here.

They will also be running a free virtual workshop for employee advisers and Trade Union representatives on ‘Sexual Harassment at Work – How to Support Employees Bringing and Defending Allegations’. This will take place on Thursday 30 January 2025 from 10.30am – 12pm. To book, click here.

Martin Searle Solicitors are also offering employers and employees a free initial 30 minute confidential advice call that will help employees understand their rights around sexual harassment, and provide advice to employers on creating a working environment where their staff can be confident that if they report sexual harassment it will be taken seriously. Their legal helpline will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout January 2025 from 3.30pm to 5.30pm on 01273 609911. You can email to book an appointment at info@ms-solicitors.co.uk.

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