Politics · United Kingdom · 4 hrs ago
New UK workplace rules require stronger steps to prevent harassment
The UK’s new workplace rules require businesses to take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual and other harassment of employees.
The rules took effect on 29 October under the Employment Rights Act 2025.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s guidance describes a fictional construction firm with a male-dominated workforce and a culture of crude banter as being at high risk of sexual harassment.
It says the firm would need urgent changes, including training on respectful behaviour, as well as steps such as writing to clients and contractors about its approach.
Businesses may also be liable for offensive comments or behaviour by customers.
Employers that fail to meet their duties could face legal challenges and large fines, according to the guidance.
The guidance sets out what employers should do to comply with the rules.
Businesses in the UK must take “all reasonable steps” to prevent sexual and other harassment of employees under new workers’ rights rules.
The rules also make businesses liable for offensive comments and behaviour by customers.
Guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission describes measures a construction firm could take to comply.
The guidance’s example identifies a male-dominated workforce and a culture of crude banter as factors creating a high risk of sexual harassment.
Tory business spokesman Julia Lopez criticised the rules as burdensome, while Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson said the Government was working with businesses to stamp out misogyny.
- Who
- UK businesses must comply with the rules. The Equality and Human Rights Commission issued guidance.
- What
- Businesses must take “all reasonable steps” to prevent sexual and other harassment of employees.
- When
- The rules came into force on 29 October 2026, according to the article’s reference to “yesterday” and its publication date.
- Where
- The United Kingdom.
- Why
- To prevent workplace harassment and stamp out misogyny.
Tory critics
Government
Burden on employers
Tory critics
Julia Lopez said the rules bring red tape and training requirements for construction firms.
Government
The Government said it was working with businesses to stamp out misogyny.
Workplace speech
Tory critics
Lopez said employers could worry that innocent comments might breach the rules.
Government
The rules require businesses to take “all reasonable steps” to prevent sexual and other harassment.
The new rules came into force, requiring businesses to take “all reasonable steps” to prevent harassment.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission published guidance on employers’ legal obligations.
- Legal standard
- All reasonable steps” to prevent sexual and other harassment
- Guidance length
- 141 pages
- Construction example
- 14 changes listed for a fictional firm
- High-risk factors
- Male-dominated workforce and a culture of crude banter
- Training
- All staff, with emphasis on inclusion and respectful behaviour
What people are saying
Labour's banter ban has only been in force for a day and has already reached the building site, with construction firms facing yet more red tape and training requirements to police workplace conversations.
Labour is creating a climate where employers are left walking on eggshells, worrying about innocent comments their staff make that could end up falling foul of the new regime.
working hand-in-hand with businesses to stamp out misogyny