Tag: worker protection

Acas urges all employers to prepare for new upcoming sexual harassment law changes

2 in 5 employers are unaware of new sexual harassment law changes that take effect in October

A new survey from workplace expert, Acas, found that over two in five employers (41%) are unaware of new legal changes they must adopt to prevent sexual harassment at work.

The Employment Rights Act 2025 strengthens the law on sexual harassment from 30 October 2026 when employers will need to take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in their organisation.

In preparation for the new changes, Acas encourages employers to take proactive steps now to prevent sexual harassment such as reviewing and updating existing policies, assessing and managing risk, and providing meaningful training.

The YouGov poll asked British businesses about whether they were aware of the new change. The survey found 41% were unaware while 59% were aware.

Acas has updated its advice on sexual harassment at work to help prepare employers for the new changes. The updates also reflect an upcoming new law change of organisations being liable for third party harassment such as from customers or the public unless they have taken all reasonable steps to prevent it.

Acas Head of Inclusivity, Julie Dennis, said: “Most employers are up to speed on upcoming new responsibilities to take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment at work but it’s concerning that 2 in 5 bosses are not.

“Next month employers could also be liable if customers or members of the public harass their staff too.

“Acas has updated its advice in this area, which outlines how employers will be impacted and can keep within the law.”

Sexual harassment is unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature. It can happen to men, women and people of any sexual orientation. It can be carried out by anyone of the same sex, another sex or anyone of any sexual orientation.

Minister for Women and Equalities, Bridget Phillipson, said: “Feeling safe from sexual harassment in the workplace should be the absolute bare minimum.

“The Employment Rights Act is delivering the biggest uplift to workers’ rights in a generation. With new measures taking effect in October, employers should act now to prepare for the changes and stamp out sexual harassment in the workplace for good.”

Currently, employers could be liable if a worker is harassed by another worker. In October 2026, the new law change means employers could be liable if the harassment is from a third party too unless they have taken all reasonable steps to prevent it.

A third party can be anyone in contact with workers who do not work for their organisations such as clients, customers, members of the public or people at conferences or events.

Employers must consider practical prevention measures that suit their organisations. This can include clear policies, staff briefings, signage for customers, security measures or reviewing supplier and customer contracts.

Minister for the Future of Work, Kate Dearden, said: “No one should have to endure harassment at work. Our Employment Rights Act puts workers’ safety first by making sure bosses take all reasonable steps to prevent this behaviour.

“Workplaces should be a place to thrive, not fear, and I encourage all employers to study their responsibilities and start preparing now for these changes.” 

Acas has training on sexual harassment for employers and its full practical advice is available at: https://www.acas.org.uk/sexual-harassment

TUC celebrates 50th anniversary of the Health and Safety at Work Act

  • The Health and Safety at Work Act received Royal Assent on 31 July 1974 
  • The TUC estimates there have been at least 14,000 fewer workplace fatalities since 1974  
  • More than a decade of cuts to health and safety enforcement is endangering workers, says TUC 

The TUC is championing the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) as life-saving legislation as trade unions mark the 50th anniversary of its Royal Assent today (Wednesday). 

The HSWA was the first legislation to mandate health and safety in all workplaces. 

Despite the major life-saving progress made since the Act became law, Britain still averaged more than 100 work-related deaths each year for the past decade. 

The TUC is calling on the new government to build on the success of the Act, and to provide the fresh funding needed to consign all work-related deaths to history. 

The Health and Safety Act 1974 

In 1970, Employment Secretary Barbara Castle commissioned Lord Robens to chair a committee to review provisions for the health and safety of workers. 

The Robens Report, published in 1972, laid the groundwork for what became the Health and Safety at Work Act. And it recommended a new health and safety authority, which was enabled by the Act and became the Health and Safety Executive. 

In 1977, the Act was accompanied by the Safety Reps and Safety Committees Regulations, which gave rights to trade union safety reps (for example, the right to inspect workplaces).  

Lives saved since 1974 

The Robens report stated that “Every year something like 1,000 people are killed at their work in this country”.  

In 1974, when the current official data begins, there were 651 workplace fatalities. From 1974 onwards, fatalities steadily declined.  

Since 2013, there have been fewer than 150 fatalities in every year. In 2023 there were 138 fatalities but there has not yet been a year with fewer than 100 fatalities. 

Based on data from the Robens report and the official data since 1974, the TUC estimates that there have been at least 14,000 fewer fatal injuries in the workplace since the Act became law. 

Without the HSWA the number of deaths relating to occupational illness would have been higher too. 

The TUC says that while the HSWA has played a major role in the reduction in workplace fatalities, it was not the only factor. Britain’s economic transition away from heavy industry to service sectors is also likely to have reduced workplace fatalities, as have additional rights for unions to act in workers’ defence. 

Raising standards and reducing fatalities and injuries 

As the new government seeks to boost housebuilding and to revive Britain’s manufacturing base with the Green Prosperity Plan, the TUC says that workers must have a higher standard of health and safety protection than in previous generations. 

The TUC is calling for the government to: 

  • Restore adequate funding to the Health and Safety Executive 
  • Take action to speed up the removal of asbestos from all workplaces  
  • Protect the role of trade union health and safety reps, and allow unions to enter and organise workplaces that lack union representation 
  • Foster a culture of positive industrial relations so that employers and workers both benefit from a collaborative approach to improving health and safety 

TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: “The Act made it a duty for every employer to protect the health and safety of staff. Thousands of lives have been saved since then. It shows how valuable government can be when put at the service of working people. 

“All deaths, injuries, and illnesses at work are preventable. But workplace inspections and prosecutions have plummeted because of Conservative cuts. And more than a hundred people died from work-related injuries last year.  

“We need fresh funding and fresh thinking. Government, unions and employers must work together to raise workplace safety to the next level. Every worker deserves to be safe, wherever they work and whatever they do.”