Last year, the government introduced a significant update to sexual harassment legislation that has reshaped workplace safety standards. The new sexual harassment law aims to create a safer, more respectful work environment by providing clearer definitions of what constitutes sexual harassment and imposing stricter responsibilities on employers.
Changes to Sexual Harassment Law
Under this updated legislation, the definition of sexual harassment has been broadened to cover a wider range of inappropriate behaviours that may have previously fallen into a grey area. Employers are now required to implement comprehensive policies and secure reporting channels to ensure that any complaints are handled swiftly, confidentially, and fairly. In addition, employers now have a duty to anticipate when sexual harassment may occur. This means that organisations must proactively assess workplace dynamics and implement measures to prevent potential incidents before they arise.
If sexual harassment occurs, employers should act quickly to stop it from happening again. This action demonstrates the importance of robust preventative measures, helps build a respectful workplace culture, and reduces the chance of incidents happening again. In practical terms, this update means that practices must review and, if necessary, update their internal policies, training programmes, and reporting mechanisms. By taking these steps, practices can ensure that they are not only compliant with current legislation but are also well-prepared for any future changes.
Take the sexual harassment course on iLearn
To support practice owners in navigating these legal requirements, Agilio Software offers a comprehensive training module on our iLearn platform.
This 45-minute course is designed to help you and your team understand the full scope of the new legislation.
The module covers:
- Definitions, Impact, and Scale: Understand what sexual harassment is and why it matters.
- Practical Advice: Learn how to manage and respond to incidents effectively.
- Regulatory Insights: Gain an understanding of regulators’ perspectives and where to seek further advice.
- Case Study: Analyse a real-life scenario to see how the legislation applies in practice.
- Multiple-Choice Questionnaire: Test your knowledge and reinforce learning.
- Resources for Further Reading: Explore additional materials to deepen your understanding.
By incorporating this training into your organisational practices, you can foster a culture of awareness and support that helps safeguard your staff and reduce potential legal risks.
For more information and to access this essential training module, please visit our iLearn platform.