Preventing Workplace Harassment - one year on and what’s to come
Thursday 04 September 2025
14:00 to 15:00
One year on from the introduction of new sexual harassment laws, this session with WorkNest’s Employment Law and HR experts will explore the harassment challenges businesses have faced over the past 12 months, how to effectively handle complaints, and what’s next under the government’s proposed reforms. You’ll come away with straightforward, actionable steps to protect your employees and keep your business compliant.
Nearly a year has passed since new legislation came into effect requiring employers to proactively prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. Since then, we’ve seen a notable spike in enquiries, from compliance-related questions to more complex scenarios involving third-party harassment and harassment complaints from employees.
One thing is clear: the impact of these changes is being felt across organisations of all sizes.
And the story doesn’t end there. The government’s Employment Rights Bill could raise the bar yet again, requiring employers to take not just “reasonable steps” but “all reasonable steps” to prevent harassment. The government is also proposing to reinstate employer liability for third-party harassment involving any protected characteristic – a development that will be of particular concern to employers in sectors such as retail and hospitality.
In this timely webinar, WorkNest’s Employment Law and HR Training Manager, Lorna Gemmell, and Senior Employment Law Adviser, Sonia Tse, will address key questions and present practical solutions to help you stay compliant now and in the future.
Drawing on real-life examples from businesses of all sizes, they’ll offer valuable insights and highlight upcoming harassment law reforms that all employers must be ready for.
What's on the agenda:
- The sexual harassment duty – one year on: Explore how the new proactive duty has impacted businesses and what trends have emerged over the past 12 months.
- Approaches to compliance in practice: Discover how organisations of all sizes are meeting their obligations, from simple steps to navigating more complex scenarios.
- Tackling third-party harassment: Get practical strategies for managing risks involving clients, customers, contractors, and other external parties.
- Carrying out effective risk assessments: Learn how to identify potential harassment risks and mitigate them to create a safer, more respectful environment.
- Responding to harassment: Get clear on what to do if a complaint arises or you suspect harassment is occurring in your workplace.
- Looking ahead: Understand what’s likely to change under the government’s Employment Rights Bill – and how to start preparing now for stricter employer responsibilities.
Have a question for our experts?
If you have a specific query about this topic that you would like our hosts to answer, submit it when signing up in the form above – we’ll address as many as we can at the end of the session.
Can't make the live session?
No problem – register anyway and we’ll send you the on-demand recording along with a suite of helpful resources to confidently prevent harassment in your workplace.
| Location |
Online |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free |