Member

Recognising sexual harassment and violence in the workplace as a health and safety issue is not a novel idea. In fact, many countries across the globe have adapted their health and safety laws accordingly, with Sweden and Australia establishing legal duties requiring employers to prevent harassment. Countries such as Belgium and Finland treat harassment as a workplace hazard that requires assessment and prevention. It makes complete sense to utilise the authority of respected health and safety legislation to tackle workplace gender-based harassment and violence. It is, after all, the toughest mechanism we have in the workplace. The commendable and welcome aim of His Majesty’s Government to halve violence against women and girls by the end of the decade is exactly why these amendments are necessary. This aim requires a cross-departmental and public health approach that goes beyond a focus on the criminal justice response and must include employers as part of the solution.