The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 introduced new protections against sexual harassment, and non-compliance which can lead to serious consequences for businesses, and Shield Safety has launched a professional training pack. This equips managers and colleagues with the knowledge to understand and implement the new requirements through undertaking a sexual harassment CPL eLearning course, which comes with ten licenses. The package also includes a system for firms to evaluate their policies and track compliance effectively.
Stuart Wiggans, Chief Compliance Officer at Shield Safety explains: “Recent research has shown that nearly half of businesses are unaware of the new legislation which could lead to costly non-compliance, and we are here to help. On a daily basis at Shield Safety we push the boundaries to deliver a solution that not only protects your business, your teams and your customers, but one that uniquely leverages safety to drive growth and help your business thrive. For us, this recent service addition aligns extremely well, and we have had a lot of early interest.
“Proactive steps are essential to understand and meet the requirements of the Act, which not only aims to prevent harassment but also encourages employers to foster a culture of respect and inclusivity. The changes introduce a "preventative duty," requiring employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment. This responsibility extends not only to interactions among employees but also to safeguarding against harassment by third parties, such as clients and customers. Businesses must actively assess risks and implement effective measures to create a safe working environment.
“Our latest service offering will allow organisations to strengthen their compliance efforts, ensuring that their business meets the new legal requirements and avoiding potential penalties. It is designed to protect teams by creating a safer and more respectful working environment for employees, and enhance a business’s reputation by demonstrating a commitment to a safe and inclusive workplace, which can improve employee morale and reduce turnover.”
For over 20 years Shield Safety has been protecting people everywhere, using their expertise to advance safety, so that businesses are able to meet and maintain the highest possible standards.