Recommendation 17

The Equality Act 2010 should be broadened to impose a duty on employers to be proactive, rather than simply reactive, in protecting workers from third party sexual harassment and for a statutory code of practice to support them in doing this. A statutory duty would create a clear and enforceable legal requirement on all workplaces to safeguard workers, and help bring about cultural change in the workplace. Employment tribunals should impose greater penalties in cases where perpetrators of harassment and bullying behaviour are found to have acted vindictively against complainants. (Recommendation, Paragraph 90)