Harassment claims: How to avoid the 'Sky Sports' problem
Make no mistake about it; harassment is a serious HR issue with severe consequences for both employer and employee.
As employers, you should be aware that you are under an obligation to protect your employees from harassment in the workplace. Harassment occurs where a person engages in unwanted conduct related to sex which has the purpose or effect of violating another person's dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that person.
You should be aware that just a single incident can constitute harassment and there is no need for the victim to have previously made it clear that such behaviour was unwanted. In addition you can be held responsible for harassment regardless of whether you, as the employer, are aware of the conduct or not.
So what if such an issue arose at your business, what would you do?
As the employer you will have a defence against any harassment claim if you can show that you (the business) had taken
all reasonable steps to prevent the harassment. Therefore, it is important that all employers are proactive in preventing
harassment as there is little damage limitation that can be done after the harassment has taken place.
In addition here are some tips to help you avoid harassment issues:
- Ensure you have a clear policy on equal opportunities, sex discrimination and harassment
- Ensure your staff are required to be familiar with this policy. It is also important for the policy to be enforced consistently.
- Make sure staff are aware that breaches of the policy will be taken very seriously and dealt with as a disciplinary issue.
- Give staff details of how they can make a complaint about harassment including who to report it to and what information to include.
- Investigate any allegations of harassment thoroughly whilst giving consideration to the sensitivity of the issues.
- Consider giving equal opportunities awareness training to staff.
- Think about whether there any steps that need to be put in place to protect your employees against harassment from third parties such as customers and suppliers.
The fallout from Gray and Key's comments continues to rumble on and serves as a reminder to employers that there is still some way to go to permanently remove inequality and harassment from the workplace. However, given the high penalties imposed on employers who fall foul of sex discrimination legislation and the damaging effects that it can have on both staff morale and reputation of your business, it is advisable you take as many preventative steps as possible in this highly sensitive area.
If your business needs an up to date policy on equal opportunities, sex discrimination and harassment click here and for £99 plus VAT you can purchase these and get over 60 other legally compliant documents, policies and contracts of employment.
