What is the Worker Protection Act?
On the 27th of October 2024, the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act) Act 2023) comes into force in the UK.
With these amendments to the 2010 Equality Act, the Worker Protection Act introduces new responsibilities for employers, making it mandatory to take proactive steps in preventing harassment within the workplace.
What happens if I don’t comply with the new law?
The consequences are serious. You can be reported to the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) which is able to take enforcement action against organisations found to be in breach of the new laws. Employment tribunals will also have the power to uplift compensation by 25%, if the employer in question is proved to have failed to put adequate measures in place to prevent sexual harassment.
How can employers prepare for the Worker Protection Act?
Most employers already have sound processes in place for dealing with sexual harassment complaints. However, the Worker Protection Act aims to take workplace safety a step further. It requires employers to also demonstrate that they have taken ‘all reasonable steps’ to prevent discrimination arising in the first place.
With only a few months until the Worker Protection Act comes into force, it is important for employers to take proactive steps to protect staff from sexual harassment in the workplace. Here are some steps you can take:
- Review policies
Review anti-harassment policies and reporting procedures, to ensure these are up to date.
- Provide training
Offer training sessions to help staff develop skills and understand what constitutes sexual harassment and what steps they should take if they experience or witness sexual harassment.
- Foster organisational and cultural change
Leadership plays a vital role in shaping workplace culture. They must model and promote values that support dignity, respect, and inclusion. By setting the right example, they can foster a positive work environment.
What are the potential benefits for employers?
The Worker Protection Act could lead to positive outcomes for employers. By creating a workplace culture where your employees feel safer could improve productivity and morale, enabling you to attract and retain talent.
Many employers also underestimate the reputational risk of a high-profile sexual harassment case. Such incidents can greatly affect how customers, employees, potential employees and wider society perceive their brand.
Build a safer workplace with Me Learning’s comprehensive Sexual Harassment Training
We have created an e-learning package to help organisations and teams of any size mitigate the risks and get prepared with the new legal duties coming into force.
Our e-learning package includes a 45-minute course which covers what sexual harassment is, what to do if you witness it, and steps employers must take to prevent it.
It also comes with a series of unique e-learning interventions designed to embed continuous and progressive learning, providing regular knowledge top ups guaranteed to engage employees and boost memory retention.
Elements of this e-learning package to help reinforce learning include:
- Two 10-minute modules called ‘Skill Boosts’, distributed post-completion to reinforce learning and track memory retention.
- Three 5-minute mobile-friendly modules called ‘Skill Sparks’, for quick refreshers, designed with an intuitive swipe/tap interface for learning on the go.
- A 60-second animated video called ‘Skill Reel’, to promote the course or reinforce learning post-completion.
Our learning helps shift mindset and embeds positive workplace behaviours. Learning continues beyond the end of the course and opens the door to ongoing proactive learning. Plus, all our training is CPD accredited, providing you with certifications upon completion.
We use a range of techniques to ensure our content not only engages but also keeps learners focused throughout their journey. Information is delivered in bite-sized chunks within contextual, realistic scenarios.
Organisations can enhance their e-learning package with the following add-ons at an additional cost:
1. Branding
We can customise this e-learning package to reflect your brand identity using your logo and other brand assets.
2. Bespoke scenarios
We can create tailored experiences that reflect your unique organisational culture, with custom-designed scenarios.
We are happy to provide you with a demonstration of our learning package designed to help your employees identify, prevent and hopefully overtime, eliminate sexual harassment from ever occurring within your organisation. Our programme helps foster a safe and productive workplace culture for all.
Contact us to get your early bird 20% discount which ends on August 31st.
For further information on how Me Learning can support your organisation ahead of the enforcement of the Worker Protection Act, click here or email maxblencowe@melearning.co.uk
