Skip to main content

News story

April 25, 2023

Significant duties set to fall on employers

The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Bill. A Private Members' Bill (Ballot Bill) which originated in the House of Commons, Session 2022-23

The Worker Protection Bill (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) continues to gather momentum. It had its second reading in the House of Lords in March 2023. 

The Worker Protection Bill has Government support and will reintroduce employer liability for the harassment of employees by third parties (such as clients, customers or suppliers), but without the need for the employer to have known of previous occasions of harassment. It is a high bar for employers to meet.

There is also a new mandatory duty for employers to take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of their employees during their employment. The Equality and Human Rights Commission may enforce any breach of this duty under its existing enforcement powers and, where a claim for sexual harassment is upheld, by an Employment Tribunal.

Furthermore, where the Employment Tribunal upholds such a claim, it will have the power to order an uplift in compensation of up to 25% where it finds that the employer breached the duty to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment.

To strike some balance for businesses, the Worker Protection Bill, as it stands, provides that employers will not be liable for the expression of certain opinions, in conversations or speech, by others in the workplace. However, the Bill is currently at the ‘committee stage’ in the House of Lords, which involves a detailed line-by-line examination of the Bill. As a result, it may still be subject to further amendments.

The Worker Protection Bill will come into effect a year after the day it obtains Royal Assent. Therefore, it makes strong sense for businesses to become familiar with the provisions of the Bill and take proactive steps now to prepare for it.

Companies must implement robust policies and collate evidence of any actions to prevent harassment, such as regular training events to raise staff awareness.

Call employment lawyer Karen Cole to health check your company and advise you what to do.

Stay in touch

Subscribe to our newsletter

Stay in touch

By completing your details and submitting this form you confirm you are happy for us to send you marketing communications and that you agree to our Website Privacy Policy and Legal Notice and to us using Mailchimp to process your data.


Sending

News/Insight

  • Why is clear contract drafting important?
    How simple contract clauses can protect your business.


    Read more
  • Ensuring equality: A legal guide to responsibilities and compliance
    Understanding equal opportunities in the workplace


    Read more
  • Navigating the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023: What it means for your business
    The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 (the Act) represents a significant shift in the UK's approach to combating economic crime, improving corporate transparency, and anti-mo


    Read more
  • Blowing kisses, not boundaries
    Tribunal clears air on workplace etiquette.


    Read more
  • Estate planning: How not to make mincemeat of it!
    The High Court has confirmed that a will handwritten on the back of two cardboard food packages is legally binding.


    Read more

What they say...

  • C Smith, March 2025
    “As executor of a will it was a relief for a solicitor to act on my behalf as though no disputes it was still a lengthy and complex process. It was dealt with mostly by Charlotte B. who kept me informed at all times. She explained the process c

  • Marc, March 2025
    “RIAA Barker Gillette were engaged to handle a real estate transaction with unusual circumstances. As a non-UK resident unfamiliar with English conveyancing procedures, I felt completely satisfied with the depth of the information and explanati

  • Leigh, March 2025
    “Instructed Martin on my first property purchase. He was a delight to work with, kept me informed and updated regularly. It was an incredibly smooth and quick process. Couldn’t be happier.”

  • Ms Brownell, March 2025
    “Patrick was amazing from start to finish. He made the process so easy, and explained each step in detail ahead of time so I’d understand what would happen and when. He was incredibly organized and noted every detail, calling out things t

  • Roman Cassini, February 2025
    “Peter Wright – highly recommended solicitor, helped us though a complicated flat sale with consummate professionalism.”

Read more
Send this to a friend