As of 26 October 2024, there is a new proactive duty on employers to take “reasonable steps” to prevent the sexual harassment of their employees in the course of employment.
To learn more about this new duty, please read our article – https://joneschase.com/2024/09/the-new-duty-to-prevent-sexual-harassment-and-what-it-means-for-employers/
Understandably, many of our clients have approached us for clarification on their new obligations. If you are employer, we strongly encourage you to reflect on your current practices in light of the new law. In order to assist, we are pleased to announce that Jones Chase are launching a Sexual Harassment 2024 Compliance Toolkit. The aim of this toolkit is to help protect employers.
Each employer is unique and “reasonable steps” will vary according to environment, likely risks and the size and resources of the employer. Navigating this new obligation is not a one-size-fits-all checklist exercise and we will offer bespoke and tailored legal advice on a case-by-case basis. As a starting point, we have put together a dynamic Key Steps Checklist which forms part of the Toolkit and sets out some of the steps we can take to help ensure compliance. The first step will be to send you our scoping Key Questions document designed to help identify any areas of risk.
Should you wish to proceed, we will arrange for an initial fact-finding and legal strategy consultation with one of our specialist lawyers. Thereafter, we can assist with any required next steps which can include:-
- Assistance with any risk assessments;
- Drafting/updating a legally compliant anti-sexual harassment policy; and
- Assisting with policy implementation.
We can also draft a Compliance Report to demonstrate steps taken by your organisation to comply with the new law which is an invaluable document in the event of any Employment Tribunal claim.
If you are interested in learning more about our Sexual Harassment 2024 Compliance Toolkit then please email lauren.sexton@joneschase.com. We can send you our Key Steps Checklist and Key Questions documents free of charge. You can then decide whether you would like to proceed with an initial consultation.