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Duty to prevent sexual harassment | Almost half of UK businesses aren’t compliant
Written on 11 November 2025
Almost a year since the Worker Protection Act 2024 came into force, new research from our team at WorkNest has revealed many UK employers are still falling short of their legal prevention of sexual harassment duty at work.
The Act, introduced on 26 October 2024, requires employers to prevent sexual harassment in their workplaces. Yet our latest survey of over 400 HR professionals shows more than half (54%) are concerned they haven’t done enough to comply, highlighting a clear need for organisations to act now and protect their employees and reputation.
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Non-compliance with sexual harassment prevention is damaging UK employers
Despite clear legal obligations, the findings revealed many employers are still unsure of what they need to know about the new statutory duty:
- 41% of employers have not carried out a sexual harassment risk assessment, while 22% are unsure if one exists.
- Only 37% confirmed they have completed a valid risk assessment.
- 45% of employers have delivered training for all staff and managers, leaving a third (34%) with no training since the duty came into effect.
These results highlight that, one year on, many organisations are still unprepared to meet their new responsibilities with regards to sexual harassment prevention at work. This leaves them exposed to legal claims, reputational risk, and employee relations challenges.
‘Still significant work to be done’, says WorkNest expert
Commenting on the results, Lorna Gemmell, Employment Law and HR Training Manager at WorkNest, said:
“While it appears that employers are aware of their legal duties, our findings suggest there is still significant work to be done to embed preventative measures effectively. Risk assessments and training are fundamental steps, and without them, businesses may face being non-compliant. This could lead to potential legal claims, reputational damage, and employee relations issues.”
Lorna added: “The duty to prevent sexual harassment is not just a compliance exercise, but a cultural one. HR and leadership teams should take this one-year milestone as an opportunity to review practices and accelerate change.
“We recommend staff training at all levels and ensure a workplace culture where harassment is prevented and addressed. Failing to comply could expose employers to costly Employment Tribunal claims, EHRC investigations, reputational harm, and financial penalties. Taking action now will not only reduce these risks but also prepare organisations for stricter rules that are on the horizon.”
Free download: 10 Steps to Conducting a Sexual Harassment at Work Risk Assessment
Download our 10-step checklist to ensure your organisation is thoroughly assessing and mitigating sexual harassment risks.
How to prevent sexual harassment at work
While there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, WorkNest has been helping organisations take the necessary steps to comply with the Worker Protection Act 2024 and protect their workforce. Our free webinar on Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace provides a useful overview of the legislation relating to workplace harassment.
It’s vital employers take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment, including:
- Conducting a risk assessment to identify potential problems in your workplace culture;
- Developing or updating policies and reporting procedures to ensure legal compliance and clarity on the expected standards of behaviour and reporting routes;
- Delivering regular training for all employees and managers on preventing workplace harassment and handling complaints appropriately; and
- Providing ongoing HR and employment law support to help your organisation stay compliant as regulations evolve.
WorkNest supports employers with sexual harassment prevention training
If you’re unsure whether your business has done enough, WorkNest can help. Our team of experts will review your current practices and support you in implementing UK compliant sexual harassment risk assessments (provided by our expert Employment Law and HR support service).
Also take a look at our HR course, Complying With the New Statutory Duty, which will help create a safe and respectful workplace.
Take action today to protect your people and your business. Call our team on 0345 226 8393 or request your free consultation using the button below.
