Boozy Work Parties May Be Over With New UK Harassment Law
- Employers have new duty to identify high-risk scenarios
- Lawyers say events with alcohol are particularly fraught
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Alcohol-fueled company events could become a thing of the past, as UK employers consider new rules that place an onus on firms to protect workers from sexual harassment or risk hefty damages claims.
Under a new law, companies will have a legal obligation to anticipate where workers face risks of sexual harassment and take “reasonable steps” to prevent it. Failure to show actions were taken to protect their workers could cost companies an additional 25% on top of any compensation awarded by an employment tribunal.