Preventing Sexual Harassment at Work

Description

Course Overview

Would you know when workplace behaviour crosses the line? A comment that someone considers harmless, an unwanted message, inappropriate jokes, repeated flirting or unwanted physical contact can create a serious workplace issue. Recognising the warning signs is important — but knowing what to do next matters just as much.

Preventing Sexual Harassment at Work gives learners a clear, practical understanding of sexual harassment in the UK workplace and the responsibilities of both employers and employees. Rather than relying on complicated legal terminology, the training helps you recognise what sexual harassment can look like, understand its impact and respond appropriately when concerns arise.

You’ll explore the legal definition of sexual harassment, different forms it can take, employer responsibilities, employee rights, reporting routes and practical strategies for prevention. You’ll also consider how workplace culture, communication and leadership can influence whether people feel safe enough to speak up.

Could you recognise it if you saw it?

The course encourages learners to think about realistic workplace situations and consider what is inappropriate, who has a responsibility to act and what appropriate action might look like.

Who is this course for?

It is suitable for employees, managers, supervisors, HR professionals, business owners and anyone who wants to understand their responsibilities and contribute to a respectful workplace.

Learning Outcomes

By completing this course, learners will be able to:

• Explain what sexual harassment means in the context of the UK workplace.
• Recognise different forms of sexual harassment and identify behaviour that may cross professional boundaries.
• Distinguish between appropriate workplace interaction and unwanted conduct of a sexual nature.
• Identify situations in which sexual harassment may occur, including through workplace communication and digital channels.
• Understand how sexual harassment can affect individuals, teams, workplace relationships and organisations.
• Explain the key legal responsibilities placed on employers in relation to preventing sexual harassment.
• Recognise the rights and responsibilities of employees when dealing with inappropriate workplace behaviour.
• Identify appropriate ways to respond when they experience, witness or become aware of sexual harassment.
• Understand the importance of appropriate reporting, support and resolution mechanisms.
• Recognise why prevention requires more than simply having a workplace policy.
• Identify practical ways organisations and employees can contribute to a respectful workplace culture.
• Understand how proactive prevention, communication and appropriate workplace procedures can help reduce the risk of sexual harassment.

Why Take This Course

“What if I am not sure whether something counts as sexual harassment?”

That uncertainty can make difficult workplace situations even harder to handle.

Sexual harassment is not limited to the most obvious behaviour. Under the Equality Act 2010, it involves unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that has the purpose or effect of violating someone’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. 

That means awareness matters.

A workplace may have a policy in place, but employees and managers still need to recognise inappropriate behaviour, understand their responsibilities and know where to turn when something does not feel right.

Why does training matter?

Because prevention is not simply about knowing a definition.

It is about being able to ask:

Would this behaviour be appropriate?
What should I do if I witness it?
Where can someone report a concern?
What responsibilities does a manager have?
How can an organisation create an environment where people feel able to speak up?

This course helps learners develop that awareness while exploring practical prevention, response, reporting and support strategies.

For employers and managers, it can also support wider efforts to build a workplace culture where inappropriate behaviour is recognised, addressed and not simply ignored.

Requirements

No previous health and safety knowledge or experience is required.

• No formal qualifications or professional licence are needed.
  ● A basic understanding of English is recommended.
  ● Learners should have access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone with an internet connection.
  

Career Progression

Understanding how to prevent and respond to sexual harassment can be valuable across many workplace roles. It is particularly relevant for people who work with colleagues, supervise teams, manage workplace concerns or contribute to employee wellbeing and organisational policies.

The knowledge gained can be useful for:

• Employees who want to understand appropriate workplace behaviour and their responsibilities.
• Managers and supervisors who may need to respond to concerns raised by team members.
• HR professionals involved in workplace policies, employee relations or reporting processes.
• Business owners and organisational leaders responsible for creating safer and more respectful working environments.
• Team leaders who want to recognise potential concerns and respond appropriately.
• Professionals with responsibilities relating to workplace culture, employee wellbeing or equality and inclusion.
• Learners considering further development in areas such as HR, employee relations, workplace wellbeing, equality and diversity, or employment-related compliance.

This course provides foundational awareness rather than a regulated professional qualification. Specialist HR, legal or employment-relations roles may require additional qualifications, training or relevant professional experience.

Certificate

Complete your training and celebrate your achievement with a Course Completion Certificate from All Skill Academy.

Your certificate provides a simple way to recognise your learning and show that you have completed the course.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is sexual harassment at work?

Sexual harassment is unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that has the purpose or effect of violating someone’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. 

What are some examples of sexual harassment in the workplace?

It can take different forms, including unwanted sexual comments, inappropriate jokes, sexual remarks, unwanted touching, messages or other conduct of a sexual nature. It can also occur through digital workplace communications such as messaging platforms, email or social media. 

Does sexual harassment have to be physical?

No. Sexual harassment can involve words, messages, images, behaviour or other unwanted conduct of a sexual nature. Physical contact is not required for behaviour to potentially constitute sexual harassment. 

What should I do if I experience sexual harassment at work?

You should consider your organisation’s reporting and support procedures and raise the concern through an appropriate route. The right approach can depend on the circumstances, so following workplace procedures and seeking appropriate support is important.

What if I witness sexual harassment?

Do not simply assume that someone else will deal with it. Depending on the circumstances and your organisation’s procedures, you may need to report the concern or seek guidance from an appropriate person or team.

What responsibilities do employers have?

Employers have a proactive legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of their workers. This means employers should consider the risks within their workplace and take appropriate preventative action. 

Is an anti-harassment policy enough?

No. Having a policy is only one part of prevention. The EHRC recommends a broader approach that can include assessing risks, communicating expectations, engaging with workers, providing appropriate training and monitoring whether preventative measures are effective. 

Can sexual harassment happen through messages or social media?

Yes. Sexual harassment is not limited to face-to-face interactions. Workplace-related harassment can also occur through communication channels such as email, messaging tools and social media.

Can customers, clients or other third parties be involved?

Yes. The current preventative duty includes sexual harassment by third parties such as customers, clients or patients. Further changes concerning third-party harassment are scheduled to take effect in October 2026. 

What is the preventative duty?

The preventative duty requires employers to take proactive steps to prevent sexual harassment rather than waiting until an incident occurs before taking action. It came into force on 26 October 2024. 

What changes are coming in October 2026?

The Employment Rights Act 2025 provides for the employer duty to be strengthened from reasonable steps to all reasonable steps, with the relevant changes due to come into force on 30 October 2026. It also introduces further changes concerning third-party harassment. 

Is this course suitable for employees?

Yes. Employees can benefit from understanding what sexual harassment is, recognising inappropriate behaviour, knowing their responsibilities and understanding where concerns can be raised.

Is this course suitable for managers?

Yes. Managers may be among the people employees approach when they have a concern. Understanding appropriate responses, reporting routes and prevention responsibilities can help managers handle concerns more appropriately.

Is this course suitable for beginners?

Yes. No specialist HR or legal background is required. The training starts with the fundamentals and develops understanding through workplace-focused concepts and practical situations.

Is this a professional HR or legal qualification?

No. It is an awareness and training course focused on preventing sexual harassment at work. It does not replace specialist legal, HR or employment-relations qualifications.

Will I receive a certificate?

Yes. On completing the training, you will receive a Course Completion Certificate from All Skill Academy.

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