Sexual Harassment in the Workplace for Managers

We all have a responsibility to prevent workplace sexual harassment from occurring.

Employers have had a legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of their employees since October 2024, when the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 came into force. The Employment Rights Act 2025 strengthens this to "all reasonable steps" from 30th October 2026, and makes employers liable for harassment of their staff by third parties such as customers and clients unless they have taken all reasonable steps to prevent it. Where a tribunal finds the duty has been breached, it can increase compensation by up to 25%, and the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) can take enforcement action even when no harassment has occurred.

This course explains what sexual harassment is under the Equality Act 2010, how it differs from sex-based harassment, and how to recognise it at work and online. It covers the manager's role in setting the tone on "banter", the barriers that stop employees reporting, and how to respond when someone makes a report, including how people commonly react to harassment and what to say and not say in that first conversation.

Managers learn the steps employers can take to evidence compliance, from policy review and training to risk assessment and record keeping, and how to build a psychologically safe team where people feel able to raise concerns. The course also covers whistleblowing protections, how to recognise and prevent detriment to someone who has reported harassment, the employer's duty to both the complainant and the person accused, and when a complaint may need to involve the police.

Scenario-based activities let learners practise applying what they've learned, and downloadable guides on what to do as a line manager and how to raise a complaint support workplace action. The course contains descriptions of inappropriate behaviour, and learners are encouraged to take breaks or skip sections if they need to.

To complete the course, learners need to pass a final assessment with a score of at least 80%, and can retake it as needed.

Who should take this course?

This course is for anyone with responsibility for managing people, or for handling complaints and grievances, in UK organisations. This includes:

• Line managers, team leaders and supervisors
• Senior managers, directors and board members
• Managers of customer-facing, client-facing or patient-facing teams
• Managers of staff who work late shifts, alone, or at off-site and social events

Staff without management responsibilities should take Sexual Harassment in the Workplace for Employees.

What does this training cover?

• What sexual harassment is, and how it differs from sex-based harassment
• The meaning of "unwanted" conduct and of victimisation
• The Equality Act 2010, the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 and the Employment Rights Act 2025
• The EHRC's enforcement powers and guidance
• The steps employers can take to prevent sexual harassment
• Sexual harassment online, and managing "banter" in your team
• Barriers to reporting, and responding to a report of sexual harassment
• Bystander intervention, listening skills and allyship
• Whistleblowing protections and preventing detriment
• Duty of care to both the complainant and the alleged harasser
• Responding when a complaint may involve a criminal offence
• Line manager behaviours that create a psychologically safe, inclusive team

Sexual Harassment at Work for Managers Course Certificate

After completing this course, learners will be able to download and print a Virtual College certificate, which they can keep for their records.

At the end of this sexual harassment training course, you will need to complete a test that consists of 15 multiple choice questions. Learners are required to achieve a 80% pass mark, and - if necessary - may attempt the test six times at no extra cost. If learners do not achieve the pass mark, further attempts may be given by contacting our support team.

Accreditation

The content of this course has been independently certified as conforming to universally accepted Continuous Professional Development (CPD) guidelines.

Duration

This course takes around 30 minutes to complete. As it's all online, you can complete it at your own pace, in stages, with your progress recorded throughout.

Entry requirements

There are no specific entry requirements for this Sexual Harassment for Managers training course.