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.
Labour promises 12 months of maternity pay
The Labour Party has pledged to increase statutory maternity pay from nine to 12 months as part of a raft...
HR horrors: How to avoid a Halloween nightmare
As Halloween approaches, it’s time for HR professionals to reflect on the often nightmarish legal situations they face. Clare Gilroy-Scott,...
Government considering making employee references mandatory
The government has said it will consult on the idea that employers should be required to provide, as a minimum,...
Musicians call for better freelance protections from sexual harassment
The Musicians’ Union is campaigning for stronger protections from sexual harassment and discrimination after almost half of members surveyed said...
BMA apologises after report exposes ‘old boys’ club’ culture
The British Medical Association has apologised to members after an independent review found that female doctors felt “undervalued, ignored or...
#MeToo at two: how far have we come?
The #MeToo movement is two years old this week and has been influential in altering behaviour, bolstering equality and respect...
Lawyer found dead had been suspended for sexual misconduct
A partner at a law firm who was found dead at the foot of cliffs in south Wales had been suspended for alleged inappropriate sexual conduct
One in 12 Lloyd’s of London workers witnessed sexual harassment
Almost one in 12 workers at Lloyd’s of London have witnessed sexual harassment in the past year, prompting the world’s...
Google releases strict guidelines on employee communications
Google has released new workplace guidelines urging staff not to insult one another or make misleading comments about the company....
McMillan Williams had ‘a culture of fear and bullying’ ex-employee claims
A former partner at high street law firm McMillan Williams has claimed it created a “morally bankrupt environment” that allowed...
Alex Salmond: Botched HR investigation leads to £500k pay-out
Former first minister Alex Salmond has received more than £500,000 in legal costs from the Scottish government following a botched...
Armed forces: minorities more likely to make complaints
Ministers “must get a grip” on tackling the disproportionately high number of complaints raised by female and ethnic minority armed...
Emma Watson launches sexual harassment helpline
Emma Watson says the scale of sexual harassment in the workplace may finally be understood as she launched a legal advice line to help women understand their rights.
Employment law changes: 10 proposals in the pipeline for HR
Amid all the political turmoil in July, employers will be forgiven for missing a flurry of proposed new employment laws...
Duty of care and the employee accused of wrongdoing
All HR professionals are familiar with the stress and anxiety associated with a grievance or disciplinary process. Ashleigh Webber examines...
