Decision details

The Chief Executive submitted a report informing Committee of a new duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment and seeking approval of a policy and procedures to ensure compliance with that duty.

The report set out the definition of sexual harassment in the workplace and the existing duties placed on employers under the Equality Act 2010 (EqA10). A private members bill had been introduced in 2022, resulting in a new duty titled The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023, which came into force on 26 October 2024.

A new Sexual Harassment Policy was recommended for consideration by Committee which was attached to the report. Further procedural measures were also set out in the report and were recommended for approval to ensure compliance with the duty, namely:

·       Staff training

·       Registering and reporting complaints

·       Investigation of complaints

·       Risk assessments

It was clarified at the meeting that this was a staff policy and that the Councillor Code of Conduct applied to Councillors.

RESOLVED THAT COMMITTEE:

1.     Approve the Sexual Harassment policy.

2.     Note and approve the procedures which the Council is to put in place to ensure compliance with the duty.