All You Need to Know About the Upcoming Worker Protection Act 2023
The Worker Protection Act 2023 is set to come into effect in October 2024, introducing new legal duties for employers across the UK to prevent harassment, particularly sexual harassment, in the workplace. This update to the Equality Act 2010 shifts the focus from simply responding to incidents after they happen, to actively working to prevent them. Whether you’re an employer or an employee, understanding the implications of this Act is crucial for ensuring compliance and creating a safe work environment.
What Does the Worker Protection Act 2023 Mean?
The Worker Protection Act aims to provide stronger safeguards for employees by placing a new proactive duty on employers to take "reasonable steps" to prevent sexual harassment at work. This duty extends beyond the office and includes any work-related events or scenarios where employees represent their organisation.
For employees, the Act offers greater security and reassurance that their employer is responsible for maintaining a safe, respectful workplace. For employers, it introduces a requirement to be proactive in preventing harassment, rather than simply addressing issues after they occur.
Key Responsibilities for Employers
With the new law set to take effect soon, employers must take action to comply. Here are four essential steps to meet the requirements of the Worker Protection Act 2023:
1. Update Your Policies
The first step is to review and update your existing workplace policies. This includes your anti-harassment policies, as well as any related workplace behaviour guidelines. These policies must clearly define unacceptable behaviour, outline consequences, and ensure that employees are aware of the updated standards.
imabi Pro can support this process by providing tools to help review and update policies, ensuring compliance with the new legal requirements. It also reinforces these policies through ongoing training and communications.
2. Regular Training for Employees
Ongoing training is key to ensuring that employees understand their role in maintaining a harassment-free workplace. This applies particularly to managers, who are often responsible for dealing with complaints and ensuring a respectful work culture.
imabi Pro offers a convenient way to deliver and track regular training sessions, ensuring that your team remains informed and up to date with the latest legal standards. This helps build a more knowledgeable workforce and reduces the risk of non-compliance.
3. Strengthen Reporting Systems
Employers are also required to have strong, accessible, and confidential systems for reporting harassment. These systems should allow employees to report incidents easily, without fear of retaliation.
imabi Pro provides a confidential and accessible platform that empowers employees to report incidents securely. This system not only makes reporting easier but also gives employers valuable insights into workplace culture, allowing them to take early action to prevent issues from escalating.
4. Promote a Zero-Tolerance Culture
To truly create a harassment-free workplace, employers need to promote a culture of zero tolerance towards all forms of harassment. This requires visible commitment from senior leadership, as well as clear communication that harassment will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
imabi Pro helps adapt this culture by offering tools for running internal awareness campaigns, as well as support links to specialised agencies. This helps create a respectful, positive work environment where all employees feel safe.
Why It’s Important to Act Now
The Worker Protection Act 2023 introduces significant legal consequences for employers who fail to meet their responsibilities. If employers cannot demonstrate that they took all reasonable steps to prevent harassment, they could be held vicariously liable for the actions of their employees. Additionally, if found in breach of their duty, employers could face compensation uplifts of up to 25% in Employment Tribunals, significantly increasing the financial impact of non-compliance.
By acting now, employers can avoid these risks. imabi Pro provides the tools you need to ensure compliance, reducing the likelihood of legal and financial consequences while creating a safer and more respectful work environment.
Get Ready for the Worker Protection Act 2023
The clock is ticking. With the new law set to take effect in October 2024, employers must start preparing now to ensure they are compliant. imabi Pro can help you meet your obligations quickly and effectively, so you can protect both your employees and your business.
Don’t wait – let imabi Pro help you stay ahead of the changes and foster a safer, more compliant workplace today. Our evaluation is free, so get in touch to learn more.
