Page 10 - Gi flipbook March 2018

NEWS | MANAGEMENT

Government urged to change law on

sexual harassment to protect workers

THE CURRENT LAW on
sexual harassment must be
bolstered to better protect
women in the workplace,
experts have urged the
government.
At a committee hearing,
suggestions on extending
time limits for claims,
reinstating employer
questionnaires, lowering
costs and strengthening
sanctions were made to MPs.
The recommendations on
harassment were put before
the Women and Equalities
Committee, chaired by Maria
Miller MP, in a heated one-
off panel session, reports
People Management.
Some experts proposed
extending the current law
to protect workers and
volunteers who suffer
sexual harassment from
customers, guests and
visitors while working in
varied environments.
As part of the
government’s inquiry, Sexual Current laws don't provide enough
harassment of women and protection, say campaigners
girls in public places, the
session queried the adequacy Murray said the high level Managing Director of complaint, the main
of the existing legislative of employment tribunal People and Infrastructure, remedy is compensation
framework and called for a costs, compared to the who was also on the panel, and a declaration. But
new probe specifically into relatively low value of sex said he believed most unless a claimant leaves
workplace protection. harassment claim awards, employers regarded their an organisation, the only
The committee is had barred many victims duty of care as important, remedy is an injury to feeling
expected to report on its from bringing claims. but said it should extend award – a “very modest
findings later this year. Calling for more robust to harassment to “create amount”, said Murray.
Christine Payne, General laws – to the same, an environment where Such awards peak at
Secretary of Equity, Ksenia strong level of protection reporting is encouraged”. £42,000 and the lowest
Zheltoukhova, the CIPD’s Parliament has provided for “There is much end drops to £800, Murray
Head of Research, and data usage and anti-money harassment and it is of deep said. There are costs,
Clare Murray, founder of laundering law – Murray concern to CBI members risks and no guarantee
CM Murray, a specialist said: “I think we should that harassment goes of recovering costs when
City employment law place as much importance unreported. Underlying bringing a claim.
firm, all called for greater on protecting safety at this is that business is still “You don’t have to be
employment protections work as we do on data too male and that leaves legally represented but it
for women. protection.” corners where harassment is a really overwhelming
Key proposals included Businesses must undertake can go on.” thing to do if you lack it,”
mandatory workplace risk stringent procedures, There are significant Murray said, querying how
assessments to safeguard proactive workplace risk shortcomings in the current many women could afford
against sexual harassment assessments, train leaders, legal framework, although adequate legal advice.
and manager training to instill policies and face severe it covers sexual harassment Even then, a remedy is
change work cultures and sanctions if they fail to and offers remedies. relatively modest if a
encourage the reporting of comply, she added. If a woman brings worker has not lost her
harassment. Neil Carberry, the CBI’s a sexual harassment job or earnings. ■

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News.indd 5 15/02/2018 14:25