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Sexual harassment

The Equality Act 2010 prohibits three types of sexual harassment in the workplace.

The main type of sexual harassment is unwanted conduct of a sexual nature perpetrated on a particular person, for example unwelcome sexual advances.

Also prohibited is sex-related harassment, which means unwanted conduct related to the protected characteristic of sex. The unwanted conduct does not have to be directed towards the complainant or related to his or her actual sex. This could include telling jokes about women or making derogatory sexist remarks about women.

And less favourable treatment based on a person’s rejection of or submission to sex-related harassment or sexual harassment is also unlawful. This could cover circumstances where a woman is rejected for promotion by her boss after turning down his sexual advances.


    • Sexual harassment
    • Bullying and harassment
    • Employment law

    Sexual harassment protections closer to being enshrined in law

    by Adam McCulloch 21 Oct 2022
    by Adam McCulloch 21 Oct 2022

    The Worker Protection Bill, which if passed would make employers liable for third-party harassment, has passed through the second reading stage in the House of Commons.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Corporate governance
    • NHS

    RCN culture is ‘bullying, misogynistic and sexual’

    by Rob Moss 11 Oct 2022
    by Rob Moss 11 Oct 2022

    Inquiry into Royal College of Nursing reveals toxic culture and leadership “riddled with division, dysfunction and distrust”.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Hybrid working
    • Bullying and harassment

    Hybrid and remote working has reduced toxic behaviours, research finds

    by Ashleigh Webber 21 Sep 2022
    by Ashleigh Webber 21 Sep 2022

    The rise of hybrid and remote working has coincided with a reduction in employees witnessing 'toxic' behaviour at work.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Bullying and harassment
    • Legal sector

    Firms aim to minimise risks of alcohol-fuelled work events

    by Adam McCulloch 1 Sep 2022
    by Adam McCulloch 1 Sep 2022

    PwC reported to be encouraging staff to remain sober at work gatherings and ensure colleagues remain safe, as employee launches legal bid over head injuries sustained at an alcohol-fuelled event.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Bullying and harassment
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion

    Allegations and resignations shine unwelcome light on RAF and Red Arrows culture

    by Adam McCulloch 26 Aug 2022
    by Adam McCulloch 26 Aug 2022

    The Red Arrows, of all British institutions, has been enveloped in allegations of bad behaviour that has seen pilots removed from the roster and a major enquiry take place.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Financial services
    • Latest News

    Underwriter wins sex discrimination claim after managers’ comments

    by Jo Faragher 26 Aug 2022
    by Jo Faragher 26 Aug 2022

    A female underwriter has won her case for sex discrimination after her boss made lewd comments about her breasts.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Bullying and harassment
    • Military

    MoD reveals zero-tolerance approach to sexual misconduct

    by Ashleigh Webber 20 Jul 2022
    by Ashleigh Webber 20 Jul 2022

    The Ministry of Defence has published two more policies and a new strategy to help it stamp out sexual misconduct.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Gamification
    • Employment law

    The risks of sexual harassment in the metaverse

    by Sanika Karandikar 14 Jul 2022
    by Sanika Karandikar 14 Jul 2022

    A workplace in the metaverse poses certain risks to employers trying to monitor and discipline employees.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Bullying and harassment
    • NHS

    Campaign highlights sexism and misogyny in healthcare

    by Ashleigh Webber 11 Jul 2022
    by Ashleigh Webber 11 Jul 2022

    Sexism, harassment and misogyny are rife within the healthcare profession in the UK, a campaign has shown.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Fire and rehire
    • Neonatal leave

    Employment law changes for 2022 and beyond: update for HR

    by Stephen Simpson 1 Jul 2022
    by Stephen Simpson 1 Jul 2022

    The midpoint of 2022 is a good time for HR professionals to take stock of the many employment law proposals in the pipeline.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Age
    • Gender

    Bald move: Tribunal was right in sex-related harassment case

    by Shakil Butt 17 May 2022
    by Shakil Butt 17 May 2022

    After a tribunal judged that calling someone 'bald' amounted to harassment related to sex, Shakil Butt explains why the panel was right.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Bullying and harassment
    • Discipline and grievances

    Use of word ‘bald’ can amount to sex-based harassment

    by Adam McCulloch 13 May 2022
    by Adam McCulloch 13 May 2022

    An employment tribunal has ruled that an electrician dismissed for gross misconduct had been subject to sex harassment because he was bald.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Bullying and harassment
    • Latest News

    MPs call for parliament HR department

    by Ashleigh Webber 3 May 2022
    by Ashleigh Webber 3 May 2022

    Sir Lindsay Hoyle and Dame Andrea Leadsom call for an HR department in parliament to stamp out lewd behaviour and bullying.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Gender
    • Latest News

    Angela Rayner: Scandal highlights inaction to prevent harassment at work

    by Sarah Evans 27 Apr 2022
    by Sarah Evans 27 Apr 2022

    Employment lawyer Sarah Evans says the Angela Rayner scandal emphasises the government's inaction to introduce new duties on employers to prevent harassment at work.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Bullying and harassment
    • Latest News

    Sexual harassment in the Army ‘part of a wider cultural issue’, report finds

    by Ashleigh Webber 13 Apr 2022
    by Ashleigh Webber 13 Apr 2022

    Reports of sexual harassment in the Army have reduced since the research was last carried out, but a report suggests lewd behaviour is still present in the Army’s culture.

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