Throughout January 2026, the Martin Searle Solicitors Employment Law Team are campaigning to stamp out sexual harassment in the workplace.

In October 2024, new legislation came into force as part of the Worker Protection Act 2023. This means that all employers have a positive legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of workers in the course of their employment. This duty includes events such as external conferences and work Christmas parties.

Unfortunately, many employers still don’t know about this Act and the fact it is now 2 years old. An October 2025 survey found that 41% of employers had still not carried out a sexual harassment risk assessment, whilst more than half of employers were concerned that they had not done enough to comply with the Act.

Meanwhile, Acas reported 5,600 harassment-related calls to its helpline between January and June 2025, which represents a 39% increase on the same period in 2024.

Incidences of sexual harassment are higher among those aged under 35, people identifying as LGBT+, and those with a disability, and people from ethnic minority groups. A TUC report published in December 2024 found that 65% of Black women had experienced sexual harassment in the workplace.  

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) provided detailed guidance for employers, including eight steps that employers should take in order to prevent sexual harassment at work. Although many employers have put these steps into practice - many haven’t. And a significant number of employees are still not aware of the new protection that the Worker Protection Act offers them.

Fiona Martin, Director and Head of Employment Law, said “As a campaigning law firm, we are committed to access to justice, and to employers meeting their obligations to protect their staff from sexual harassment. Throughout January we will be providing free advice to employers and employees on preventing sexual harassment at work.”

“Where there are allegations of sexual harassment, we ensure that employers know how to run a thorough and fair investigation to ensure that they deal with allegations fairly. We have dealt with and seen reported cases where allegations have been found to be untrue and motivated by other factors. By advising employees about their legal rights, and educating employers around best practice, we hope to make sexual harassment a thing of the past”.

Martin Searle Solicitors have produced a series of free factsheets, case studies and FAQs for employers and employees covering sexual harassment at work.

On Thursday 22 January 2026, from 10.30am – 12pm, Laura Donnelly will be running a free virtual workshop for employee advisers and Trade Union representatives on ‘Sexual Harassment at Work – How to Support Employees Bringing and Defending Allegations’. To book, click here.

Fiona Martin will also be running a virtual seminar for employers in the charity and non-profit sector on ‘Preventing Sexual Harassment At Work – What Employers Need To Know’. This will take place on Tuesday 27 January 2026 from 10.30am - 12pm. To book, click here.

Martin Searle Solicitors are also offering employers and employees a free initial 30 minute confidential advice call that will help employees understand their rights around sexual harassment, and provide advice to employers on creating a working environment where sexual harassment will not be tolerated and their staff can be confident that if they report sexual harassment it will be taken seriously. Their legal helpline will take place for  all of January  on Tuesdays and Thursdays from Tuesday 6 January 2026 from 3.30pm to 5.30pm on 01273 609911. You can email to book an appointment at info@ms-solicitors.co.uk.

For more information about their campaign, please visit https://www.ms-solicitors.co.uk/metoo-matters/