EMPLOYMENT LAW: #METOO AND #TIMESUP

03 September 2018

• Employment law liverpool
• sex discrimination
• employment law
• sexual harassment in the workplace
• sexual harassment
• #metoo
• #timesup
• employer policies
• sexual abuse
• employee rights
• times up movement
• me too movement
• sexual assault

Employment Law is in a constant stream of transition, due to the ever-changing legislation. The more recent changes have focused on attitudes towards sexual harassment, which has come under scrutiny in the form of digital movements from the US, the more prominent been #MeToo and #TimesUp. Although they are US-based movements, other countries also approve of these movements, especially in the UK.

The movements focus on speaking out about sexual harassment, as in the past sexual assaults have been kept quiet to enable the victim to protect their reputation (and often, credibility).

These movements are meaning employers are required to revaluate their employment policies and procedure, in order to ensure that they have the efficient measures in place, should a sexual harassment complaint arise.

All employers should already have policies in place, regarding behaviour in the workplace, as well as the procedures on reporting instances where these policies are not adhered to. Therefore, it is not a case of creating new measures, it is merely enforcing them and training or informing all staff members to understand these measures.

Employers should ask themselves the following questions:

Will existing procedures in place cater to the protection and confidentiality of the complainant?

What are the organisation’s procedures when dealing with the accused in a confidential manner?

Are all employees aware and trained to understand the necessary behaviours they should adhere to?

Are managers trained in impartial and sensitive approaches when dealing with an investigation?

It is important to consider these questions, in order to reduce risk for employers and employees, as well as creating a safe and supportive environment for all staff.

Here at Three Graces Legal we can help anyone who has experienced sexual harassment in the workplace.

Please contact us on 0151 659 1070 to see how we may be of assistance.