A year after the Worker Protection Act came into force, new research suggests there’s still plenty of work to do to make sure people feel safe at work.
Online training provider High Speed Training has found that one in five UK adults are worried about sexual harassment in the workplace, and one in ten say they’ve actually witnessed behaviour they believe crossed the line.
The Worker Protection Act (2023) became law in October 2024, placing a new legal duty on employers to take “reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment at work. The idea was to make sure the responsibility falls on the employer — not the employee — to stop inappropriate behaviour and to support anyone affected.
However, a new YouGov survey of more than 2,200 UK adults found that only 55% feel confident that their employer has taken those steps. Just 62% believe their workplace would deal with a report of harassment properly.
Dr Richard Anderson, Head of Learning and Development at High Speed Training, explained:
“Sexual harassment means any unwanted conduct of a sexual nature. It could be verbal, physical or even digital. Anyone on the receiving end of that behaviour is a victim of harassment.”
Examples include unwanted comments or “jokes”, inappropriate messages, sexual advances, or any type of unwanted touching.
The study also showed a clear generational divide. Younger workers aged 18–24 were more than three times as likely to say they’d seen behaviour they consider to be sexual harassment at work compared with those aged over 45 (18% vs 5%). Researchers say this could be because younger employees are more likely to be in junior positions — or because they’re better at recognising inappropriate behaviour in the wake of the #MeToo movement.
Dr Anderson added:
“Our findings suggest that almost three million people across the UK have seen sexual harassment in the workplace in the past year. It underlines just how important this legislation is, and how much more needs to be done to create safe, respectful workplaces.”
High Speed Training says many employers are taking the issue seriously. Since the Act came into force, the company has seen a 1,500% rise in organisations signing staff up for its Sexual Harassment Training for Employees course, and a 2,234% increase in uptake for its Managers’ Training.
Dr Anderson concluded:
“A positive, respectful workplace culture is built through trust and visible action. Proper training is a great way for employers to show their commitment.”
