Discrimination, Harassment & “Positive Duty” to Prevent Sexual Harassment

The protection against discrimination is set out in the Equality Act 2010 which, amongst other matters, prohibits the direct discrimination, harassment and victimisation of employees by both the employer and by co-workers. Discrimination is constantly evolving:

• in October 2024, the Equality Act was amended so as to impose a duty on employment to take reasonable steps to prevent the sexual harassment of staff by both co-workers and by third parties such as customers and clients;

• in October 2026, the duty of employers to protect staff against third party harassment will be extended beyond sexual harassment to cover the remaining protected characteristics such as race, disability and sexual orientation.

This webinar will review the existing protection against discrimination and will consider the various changes which are on the horizon, including but not limited to changes being introduced by the Employment Rights Act 20205.