For many years, the Equality Act 2010 has protected individuals from workplace discrimination, including bullying, harassment, discrimination, and victimisation.
At Worthwhile Training, we have been helping clients fulfil their legal responsibilities and promote fair, respectful workplace cultures by successfully delivering our Respect and Dignity at Work training. This includes addressing workplace discrimination, including bullying, harassment, discrimination, victimisation, and sexual harassment.
Did you know that from 26 October 2024, there will be an amendment to the Equality Act to introduce a new statutory duty for employers? This change will require all employers to take proactive ‘reasonable steps’ to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.
To comply with this new duty, employers must demonstrate that they have provided meaningful training to all employees and managers. Failure to meet these requirements could lead to enforcement actions by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), compensation claims from employees, and reputational damage to your organisation.
How Worthwhile Training Can Help You Prepare For These Changes
To support our clients in navigating this change, we have enhanced our existing training to include a new workshop: Preventing Sexual Harassment at Work. This workshop focuses on understanding the problem and explores ways to comply with the new duty.
Our training can be tailored to your organisation’s specific needs, including incorporating your policies and procedures (or helping you develop them). Whether you are looking to train colleagues, managers, or designated ‘Champions,’ we offer flexible training options to fit your needs.
Flexible Training Delivery Options
We understand that every organisation has unique needs, so we offer a variety of training formats, including:
- Interactive talks and workshops: From 90 minutes to a full day
- Forum Theatre Workshops: Half-day or full-day sessions
- Train the Trainer (for Champions and Guardians)
- Training films
- E-learning packages: Ideal for raising awareness
The new legislation calls for ‘meaningful training,’ and we are committed to delivering just that. While face to face training is considered the ‘gold standard’ by the EHRC, a blended-learning approach can ensure that your employees receive the right messages in an accessible and effective way.
What Our Preventing Sexual Harassment at Work Workshops Cover
Our training can cover the following, but as always, we will talk to, and work with our clients to tailor the content to their needs.
- the relevant legislation and the seven steps organisations need to take to comply with their duty
- the importance of auditing and recording the steps you take
- a clear definition of sexual harassment and exploring how perceptions of behaviour may differ
- ways to set expectations and embed positive behaviours
- the role of managers to ensure the organisation is taking the right steps
- acceptable behaviour of and between staff
- simple tools to manage and check our own behaviour
- strategies for colleagues to confidently manage situations that may occur
- ensuring colleagues have easy access to support
- dealing with incidents and offering support to the targets of sexual harassment
Why This Training Matters
Sadly, the need for this legislative change highlights the importance of preventing harassment in the workplace. Our goal is to help you embed a culture of respect in your organisation so that everyone can work in an environment free from fear and harassment.
Let’s Chat!
Finally, if you would like to discuss your organisation’s needs or how we can help you comply with this new duty, we’re always happy to chat. Feel free to give us a call or drop us an email.
Together, let’s create a safer, more respectful workplace.
