Consultation on Volunteers and Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

The UK Government’s Equalities Office has launched the Consultation on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace.

The consultation is seeking views on extending protections to volunteers, and would particularly like to hear from:

• anyone who has experience of sexual harassment or other types of discrimination at work
• anyone who is or has been a volunteer or an intern and who has experience of sexual harassment or any other type of discrimination
• anyone who has managed or supported someone who has experienced sexual harassment or other types of discrimination at work
• anyone who has thought about taking a case of any type of discrimination or harassment to an employment tribunal, whether or not they decided to in the end

The consultation is split into 2 parts: a set of online questions, and a technical document that invites views on the specifics of law. Both look at the same issues, in a different level of detail.

Anyone responding on behalf of an organisation, or who has a view on the detailed legal elements of the issue, is encouraged to read and respond to the technical document, Technical Consultation on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace.

Responses will be used to look at whether the current laws on workplace sexual harassment provide adequate protections, considering any gaps and thinking about what more can be done at a practical level to ensure people are protected at work.

The deadline for responses is 11:59pm on Wednesday 2^nd October.

To submit your response, or for further information (including supporting documents), please visit the UK Government website.