Prevention of Sexual Harassment Risk Assessment Form
Since October 2024, employers have had to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of employees in the course of their employment. Where an employment tribunal upholds a sexual harassment claim against an employer and orders it to pay compensation, the tribunal must consider whether the employer has also breached its duty to prevent sexual harassment and, if it has, may increase the compensation by up to 25%. From 30 October 2026, following the Employment Rights Act 2025, employers must take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of their employees in the course of their employment, and are also liable for harassment (as defined in the Equality Act 2010, so not only sexual harassment) of their employees by third parties, such as customers or clients, in the course of their employment unless they have taken all reasonable steps to prevent it.
As part of taking these steps, employers should take actions to assess the risk of sexual harassment and put measures in place. This Prevention of Sexual Harassment Risk Assessment Form should be used to assess the risk of sexual harassment and identify reasonable steps to take to prevent it.
The risk assessment should be geared towards the Company’s specific needs, taking account of matters such as:
- The size of the Company
- Diverse ways of working e.g. night working, lone working
- The kind of work conducted by the Company
- The Company’s culture
- Whether sexual harassment has happened before
- The risks of sexual harassment
- The extent of contact with third parties.
Risk mitigation strategies will include:
- Clear and comprehensive policies that are communicated to employees
- Regular training on what constitutes sexual harassment including information on how to report incidents
- Establishing clear procedures for handling complaints
- Regular monitoring of policies and procedures to ensure continued effectiveness.
Prevention of Sexual Harassment Risk Assessment Form is part of Employment. Just £38.50 + VAT provides unlimited downloads from Employment for 1 year.