Episode #27 - The duty to prevent sexual harassment – the Laing O’Rourke experience

A new duty on employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace including harassment by third parties, came into force on 26 October 2024. While sexual harassment can happen in any workplace, there are factors specific to the construction sector (including onsite working and frequent interactions with contractors) which mean that there are multiple sexual harassment hotspots which can be difficult to manage in practice. During this podcast CMS employment partner Catriona Aldridge...

A new duty on employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace including harassment by third parties, came into force on 26 October 2024. While sexual harassment can happen in any workplace, there are factors specific to the construction sector (including onsite working and frequent interactions with contractors) which mean that there are multiple sexual harassment hotspots which can be difficult to manage in practice.

During this podcast CMS employment partner Catriona Aldridge speaks to Lucy Kendall from Laing O’Rourke about the measures Laing O’Rourke has brought into place in anticipation and in response to the new legislation.

The podcast covers:

• What is meant when we talk about sexual harassment?
• What has changed with the new duty to prevent coming into force?
• What can construction companies do to practically comply with the duty?
• An update from Laing O’Rourke – what is the construction industry’s perspective on the duty to prevent obligation, and what are the challenges to ensuring compliance?