Equality bodies welcome workers' protection law

The UK’s equality watchdog was just one of many organisations that welcomed the passing of the Worker Protection Bill into law at the end of October, describing the new act as an important part of protecting employees.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission said in a statement on the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act that it will protect employees by “placing a proactive duty on employers to take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace”.

It also pledged to update its technical guidance on sexual harassment and set out steps firms should take to comply with the law.

“Every employer, no matter how big or small, is responsible for protecting its workforce from unlawful harassment at places of work,” it said. “We will continue to take action where we find evidence of wrongdoing and hold employers to account by using our unique powers.”

The Fawcett Society hailed the act as “a huge day in the fight against workplace sexual harassment” with chief executive Jemma Olchawski calling it “a big step” towards “truly equal workplaces”.