Prevention and Reduction of Workplace Sexual Harassment Risk Assessment form
Our Prevention and Reduction of Workplace Sexual Harassment Risk Assessment Form template assists in identifying and mitigating risks, ensuring a safer and respectful work environment.
Use in conjunction with anti-harassment policies and employee training programs.
10 mins
360
What is a Prevention and Reduction of Workplace Sexual Harassment Risk Assessment form?
The Prevention and Reduction of Workplace Sexual Harassment Risk Assessment form is designed to identify and mitigate potential risks related to sexual harassment in the workplace. This form helps organisations evaluate current policies, practices, and workplace culture to uncover areas needing improvement or intervention.
By systematically assessing these risks, employers can implement targeted strategies to create a safer, more inclusive work environment. This form supports compliance with legal requirements and demonstrates a commitment to protecting employees' wellbeing, ultimately fostering a respectful and productive workplace.
Great Britain & NI (United Kingdom), Worldwide
What legislation and best practice guidelines have been taken into account in the development of this template?
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Equality Act 2010: Prohibits sexual harassment in the workplace, defining it as unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that violates an individual's dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, or offensive environment.
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Health and Safety at Work Act 1974: Requires employers to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of their employees, which includes taking steps to prevent and address sexual harassment.
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Employment Rights Act 1996: Ensures fair treatment of employees, including the right to work in a safe and respectful environment free from harassment.
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Acas Guidance on Sexual Harassment: Offers practical advice on preventing and dealing with sexual harassment at work, promoting a proactive approach to creating a safe workplace.
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Best Practice: Comprehensive Training and Clear Reporting Procedures: Implement regular training on recognising and preventing sexual harassment and establish clear, accessible reporting procedures for employees to raise concerns confidentially.
In 2024, new UK legislation mandates that employers take "reasonable steps" to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. This change, part of the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act, is set to take effect in October 2024. This new duty requires employers to proactively prevent sexual harassment, differing from the previous requirement where employers had to show they had taken "all reasonable steps" only as a defence in claims.
Key points of the new law include:
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New Duty: Employers must take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment at work.
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Enforcement: Employment tribunals can increase compensation by up to 25% if an employer is found in breach of this duty.
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Third-Party Harassment: Although initially proposed, the requirement to protect against third-party harassment (by clients or customers) was removed from the final law.
Employers are advised to:
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Implement comprehensive reporting mechanisms for harassment.
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Update and disseminate clear anti-harassment policies.
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Conduct regular, meaningful training on harassment prevention.
Other territories
Consult your jurisdiction's employment legislation or labor laws to ensure compliance with the template. Review the language for local precision.