Preventing Harassment
The duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment including by third parties (clients, customers, and service users) is strengthened. From 30 October 2026 employers will be required to take “all reasonable” steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace (as opposed to just reasonable steps). At the same time the power to introduce regulations specifying what reasonable steps employers will be required to take also comes into force. However, those regulations, when published will be subject to consultation and are not expected to come into force until 2027/2028.
An employer will be liable for harassment by third parties (clients, customers, service users, pupils etc.) from 30 October 2026 where that harassment occurs during the course of employment and it failed to take all reasonable steps to prevent it. Third party harassment includes unwanted conduct related to the protected characteristics of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.
This publication is a general summary of the law. It should not replace legal advice tailored to your specific circumstances.
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