APSCo Webinar: Sexual Harassment, all you need to know

APSCo Insight Webinar

Monday 7th October
11:30am-12:30pm

11:30 am Welcome, introduction & APSCo update

Shazia Imtiaz, General Counsel, APSCo

11:40am Sexual Harassment - all you need to know

Simon Bloch, Employment Partner, JMW Solicitors LLP

The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 enforces a mandatory duty on employers to take reasonable steps to prevent the sexual harassment of employees in the course of their employment.

In this presentation, we will set out what amounts to “reasonable steps”, the degree to which the duty extends to protection against sexual harassment by third parties and the consequences if the employer is found to be in breach.

The EHRC technical guidance describes the duty to take reasonable steps to prevent the sexual harassment of employees as a “preventative duty” that is both anticipatory and continuous. Although there will be no specific criteria an employer must meet, an objective test will ultimately be used, dependant on the facts and conditions of the case, to conclude whether reasonable steps have been taken.

Attendees will leave equipped with the requisite knowledge to ensure they do not fall foul of the objective “reasonable steps” test and practical strategies to create a workplace culture that minimises the risk of sexual harassment.

This webinar is a fantastic opportunity for business owners, managing directors and in-house legal teams to gain a fundamental understanding of the new statutory duty placed on employers in respect of sexual harassment of employees.

12:15pm

Q&A session

Chaired by Shazia Imtiaz APSCo General Counsel

Key takeaways:

An insight into the steps employers must take to prevent sexual harassment, including by third parties like clients or customers.
Understanding why employers must actively and continuously prevent harassment, not just respond to incidents.
How objective tests will determine if reasonable steps have been taken to anticipate prevention of harassment.
Gain a fundamental understanding of the new statutory duty placed on employers.