Elevate Session │ Preventing Harassment at Work

Elevate Session | Building Inclusive Culture

Preventing Harassment at Work: A Compliance Briefing for Employers

A 3.5-hour interactive session, delivered as part of our Building Inclusive Culture pillar

Employer Duties Are Changing

Since October 2024, employers have been subject to a statutory duty to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. This standard is set to be strengthened considerably. From October 2026, employers are required to take all reasonable steps, and will become liable for harassment of staff by third parties, including customers, clients and contractors. From April 2026, reports of sexual harassment may also constitute protected disclosures under whistleblowing legislation.

This course provides a clear and practical framework for understanding these obligations and preparing your organisation accordingly.

About this session

This is a 3.5-hour Elevate Live session, delivered by an expert facilitator in a live, interactive format. As part of our Building Inclusive Culture pillar, it focuses on the policies, behaviours and organisational conditions that shape a safe and inclusive workplace, giving delegates the opportunity to ask questions, discuss real scenarios and leave with actionable next steps rather than a static set of slides.

Who should attend

This course is recommended for individuals who:

• Hold overall responsibility for HR policy or workplace compliance
• Occupy a senior management role with oversight of workplace conduct
• Are required to brief their board or leadership team on forthcoming legal changes
• Wish to assess whether existing policies and practices will meet the new standard
• Require clarity on the practical implications of the all reasonable steps duty

Key dates

Benefits of attending

• Clarity on the legal definition of sexual harassment and the range of behaviours it encompasses, including those less immediately apparent
• Understanding of what reasonable steps, and subsequently all reasonable steps, require in practice, with reference to the Equality and Human Rights Commission's technical guidance
• A practical framework for risk assessment, policy development, reporting systems and training
• Awareness of risk, including tribunal compensation uplifts of up to 25 per cent for non-compliance
• Advance preparation for third-party harassment liability and whistleblowing reforms ahead of their commencement in 2026

Course content

1. The legislative background, from the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 to the Employment Rights Act 2025
2. Defining harassment and sexual harassment including example and relevant case law
3. The current reasonable steps duty and its evolution to all reasonable steps
4. Employer liability for third-party harassment from October 2026 - what it means in practice
5. Assessing and mitigating organisational risks
6. Extension of whistleblowing protection to sexual harassment reports from April 2026
7. Developing a compliance action plan: risk assessment, policies, reporting mechanisms, training and evidencing proactive action
8. The consequences of non-compliance

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I log on?

A link to your training session will be included in the confirmation email you receive after purchasing your ticket.

Initially, this link will direct you to the event page. As the training date approaches, the link will automatically redirect you to the Microsoft Teams meeting for your session.

We recommend checking that you can access the link before the training begins and joining a few minutes early where possible.

If you experience any difficulties accessing the session or have not received your confirmation email, please contact l&d@worknest.com and a member of the Learning & Development team will be happy to help.

Can a group of us log on from a meeting room?

Training places are sold on a one ticket per delegate basis, and attendance is recorded against individual bookings.

Where possible, we ask that each delegate joins from their own device to ensure everyone can fully participate and receive any associated attendance records or certificates.

If your organisation has purchased multiple tickets and delegates need to join from the same meeting room or shared location, please contact l&d@worknest.com before the session. While individual logins are preferred, we understand this is not always possible and will be happy to discuss the most appropriate arrangement for your group.

I'm having trouble logging on. Who should I contact?

Please contact l&d@worknest.com if you experience any issues accessing your session.

Will the training be recorded?

No, training sessions are not recorded.

Can I log in from a mobile phone or tablet?

While joining from a laptop or desktop computer is recommended for the best experience, training sessions can also be accessed via mobile phones and tablets.

Will I receive a certificate?

Yes. Certificates can be requested via the feedback form provided at the end of the training session.

Can I pay by invoice?

Payment via card through Ticket Tailor is preferred. If you require an invoice, please contact l&d@worknest.com before booking.

I have paid through Ticket Tailor but have received a WorkNest invoice. Do I need to pay again?

No. As part of our finance processes, an invoice may be issued to confirm that payment has been received. No further payment is required.

What is your cancellation and refund policy?

All bookings are transferable but non-refundable.

If you can no longer attend a course, we encourage you to transfer your place to a colleague where appropriate. To amend, transfer, or cancel a booking, please contact l&d@worknest.com as soon as possible.

In exceptional circumstances, requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis at WorkNest's discretion. While refunds are not normally available, we will always work with you to find a suitable solution wherever possible.

How do I cancel a booking?

To cancel or transfer a booking, please contact l&d@worknest.com with your booking details and the course name. We recommend contacting us as early as possible so that we can assist with alternative arrangements where available.