The Government will introduce a new Code of Practice so employers better understand their legal responsibilities to protect their staff as part of a package of commitments to tackle sexual harassment at work. Responding to the Women and Equalities Select Committee report, the Government Equalities Office also promised to carry out awareness raising work with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS), the Equality and Human Rights Commission and employers on how to prevent and address sexual harassment at work; to work with regu... Continue reading

A High Court judge’s decision has sent a fresh warning to employers on the importance of ensuring all employees sign their contracts of employment. Michael Wakeling, a partner at Midlands law firm Lodders, explained: “The recent case involved facilities management company Tenon FM and its former employee Ms Susan Cawley, who began employment at the company in 2008, was given a number of promotions, before being appointed operations director. “When she resigned in 2018, she was alleged to have attempted to persuade a former colleague to... Continue reading

Equality body the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has called for employers to play their part in tackling the gender pay gap by publishing their action plans. Currently, the publication of action plans is not mandatory, however the EHRC has said it is essential that these plans are published if a business wants to demonstrate a real commitment to reducing the gap. EHRC has carried out an analysis of employers’ gender pay gap action plans to understand what they are doing to drive meaningful change and tackle inequalities facing ... Continue reading

Earlier in November a call was made to Theresa May by some of Britain’s leading business leaders to act on a pledge to make mental health first aid mandatory in all workplaces. More than 50 chief executives, from banking, retail, education and utility sectors, signed an open letter to the Prime Minister, warning that every year, workplace mental health issues cost the UK economy almost £35bn, with 15.4m working days lost to work-related stress, depression or anxiety. They highlight a petition signed by more than 200,000 people, calling fo... Continue reading

New research from workplace experts ACAS on sexual harassment has revealed that only one in four workers agree that international media coverage has helped to improve their workplace culture. ACAS commissioned the study from YouGov to find out whether media reporting on the #MeToo campaign and high-profile celebrity cases have had any effect on British workplaces. ACAS Head of Diversity, Julie Dennis, said: "It has been one year since the #MeToo movement gained widespread publicity, but our poll reveals that there's still a long way to go to... Continue reading