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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
    • Artificial intelligence
    • Employee relations

    New employment rights top priority for HR teams

    by Jo Faragher 10 Mar 2025
    by Jo Faragher 10 Mar 2025

    The top priority for HR teams in the coming year is adapting to the Employment Rights Bill, according to research by law firm Freeths.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Latest News
    • Pay settlements

    Huw Edwards ‘refuses’ to pay back salary received after arrest

    by Jo Faragher 5 Mar 2025
    by Jo Faragher 5 Mar 2025

    Former newsreader Huw Edwards has not paid back around £200,000 in salary he was asked to return to the BBC following his arrest and resignation.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Gender

    Equality at work: ‘Men are out of touch’

    by Adam McCulloch 28 Feb 2025
    by Adam McCulloch 28 Feb 2025

    Research found that a quarter (26%) of working women were not promoted in pay, benefits or position in 2024, compared with just a fifth (20%) of men.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Bullying and harassment
    • Latest News

    Foxtons staff accuse firm of culture of harassment

    by Jo Faragher 26 Feb 2025
    by Jo Faragher 26 Feb 2025

    London estate agent Foxtons has urged staff to speak up amid allegations that employees were subject to sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Bullying and harassment
    • Military

    Army inquest hears of widespread sexual harassment claims

    by Jo Faragher 19 Feb 2025
    by Jo Faragher 19 Feb 2025

    The head of the British Army has condemned the ‘appalling and shameful behaviour’ of officers after more than 1,000 women shared stories of abuse and sexual harassment.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Bullying and harassment
    • Zero hours

    McDonald’s: zero hours culture feeds sexual harassment allegations

    by Emma Cocker 10 Feb 2025
    by Emma Cocker 10 Feb 2025

    A deluge of allegations of employee harassment and abuse are threatening to cloud the fast food giant's reputation.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Bullying and harassment
    • Latest News

    Gino D’Acampo accused of ‘inappropriate and intimidating’ behaviour

    by Jo Faragher 7 Feb 2025
    by Jo Faragher 7 Feb 2025

    Celebrity chef Gino D’Acampo is at the centre of ‘dozens’ of allegations of inappropriate and intimidating behaviour towards TV production...

    • Sexual harassment
    • Bullying and harassment
    • Latest News

    BBC apologises for failure to deal with Russell Brand’s behaviour

    by Adam McCulloch 30 Jan 2025
    by Adam McCulloch 30 Jan 2025

    BBC director of editorial complaints said on Thursday that he had investigated eight complaints about Brand during his review.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Bullying and harassment
    • Zero hours

    Employment Rights Bill: EHRC warns MPs of ‘cumulative’ impact

    by Rob Moss 14 Jan 2025
    by Rob Moss 14 Jan 2025

    EHRC briefs MPs on impact of Employment Rights Bill, including compatibility of the rights regarding harassment and freedom of expression.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Hospitality
    • Latest News

    ‘Air kiss’ did not amount to sexual harassment

    by Rob Moss 9 Jan 2025
    by Rob Moss 9 Jan 2025

    Whisky shop worker's claim that an air kiss amounted to sexual harassment is dismissed at the employment tribunal.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Zero hours
    • Latest News

    McDonald’s chief accused of running ‘predator’s paradise’

    by Jo Faragher 8 Jan 2025
    by Jo Faragher 8 Jan 2025

    An MP has accused McDonald’s of running a ‘predator’s paradise’ and a ‘hotbed of harassment’ in a parliamentary select committee.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Bullying and harassment
    • Hospitality

    McDonald’s faces further harassment allegations

    by Rob Moss 7 Jan 2025
    by Rob Moss 7 Jan 2025

    McDonald’s boss to answer MPs' questions after new allegations of harassment emerge, despite company’s efforts to stamp out toxic culture.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Latest News
    • Gender pay gap

    Whistleblowing: Are there lessons to learn from the financial services sector?  

    by Paul Fontes and Ruth Christy 27 Dec 2024
    by Paul Fontes and Ruth Christy 27 Dec 2024

    Ruth Christy and Paul Fontes highlight the issues concerning whistleblowing and look at developments in the financial services sector.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Northern Ireland
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion

    Woman settles in Christmas party sexual harassment case

    by Jo Faragher 13 Dec 2024
    by Jo Faragher 13 Dec 2024

    A woman has settled a case of alleged sexual harassment at a work Christmas dinner.

    • Sexual harassment
    • Zero hours
    • Employment law

    What the Employment Rights Bill means for recruiting seasonal workers

    by Adam Grant and Abigail Jacks 13 Dec 2024
    by Adam Grant and Abigail Jacks 13 Dec 2024

    Employers of seasonal workers need to be well versed in the proposals of the Employment Rights Bill, which if misunderstood or ignored could lead to tribunal proceedings and reputational damage.

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