UK Employment Rights Act 2025 to increase sexual harassment prevention duties

The Employment Rights Act 2025 is introducing significant changes to workplace protections in the UK. Under the new legislation, the legal standard for preventing sexual harassment will be upgraded from taking ‘reasonable steps’ to taking ‘all reasonable steps’ starting 30 October 2026.

A survey by Acas revealed that 41% of British employers are currently unaware of these upcoming legal changes. The updated duty represents a shift in compliance, as employers will likely be assessed on whether any further preventative measures could have been implemented.

Additionally, from 30 October 2026, employers will become liable for harassment committed against their staff by third parties, such as customers, clients, or members of the public, unless they can demonstrate they took all reasonable steps to prevent such incidents. While the government plans to introduce specific regulations following consultations in 2027/28, experts recommend that businesses proactively review policies, conduct risk assessments, and implement effective reporting mechanisms now.