The figures are staggering. Research by iHasco, reported in People Management, found that 48% of UK workers have witnessed or experienced inappropriate behaviour at work, 40% are unsure how to raise concerns, and 66% lack full confidence in how reports will be handled.
It’s a real worry, and one we shouldn’t ignore. As employers, we all have a part to play in making sure our workplaces are safe and respectful. That starts with preventing sexual harassment before it happens.
Prevention starts with training
Under the Equality Act 2010, employers must take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment. From 30 October 2026, this becomes a duty to take all reasonable steps, including addressing risks from third parties such as customers, clients and contractors.
Policies are important, but people need to know what to look out for and how to act. Practical training helps staff recognise inappropriate behaviour and gives managers the confidence to tackle concerns before they escalate. And if something does happen, everyone should know what to do next.
How can Gravitate HR help?
Take action now. A practical workshop can help build your team’s confidence and support a safer, more respectful workplace.
Explore our sexual harassment workshops to find out more, and get in touch if you’d like to discuss your team’s needs.
Read our related blogs:
Could Sexual Harassment Happen in Your Workplace? Our HR Consultant Tina Munro discusses this realistic workplace scenario in her blog, exploring what employers can do to prevent sexual harassment and create a respectful, safe workplace
How to Create a Sexual Harassment Policy – Gravitate HR In this blog, we’ve put together a full guide on how to create a Sexual Harassment Policy – covering scope, reporting routes and third-party harassment.
Make sure you have a clear sexual harassment policy and have taken all the reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in your workplace. If you need to coordinate some training sessions in your workplace, Gravitate HR can tailor sessions for you to encourage good working practices aligning to your duty of care for employees in the workplace.
If you need advice or would like some more information, please contact your account manager or book a free 20 min call – Gravitate HR with no obligation.
