Sexual Harassment Prevention at Work

Sexual Harassment Prevention at Work helps learners recognise concerning behaviour and contribute to a more respectful workplace. It addresses verbal, non-verbal, physical and digital conduct, using clear examples without requiring learners to share personal experiences.

Across eight teaching modules, the course explores boundaries, consent, power imbalances and workplace culture. It considers situations involving colleagues, customers and other third parties, including social events, lone working and other contexts that may require particular care.

Learners are introduced to prevention, workplace risk assessment and the responsibilities discussed in the controlled teaching materials. The course connects these topics to everyday conduct: noticing discomfort, respecting boundaries, responding to concerns and following organisational procedures.

Speaking up, safe bystander action and supporting colleagues are central themes. Learners consider how to listen, where to report and why confidentiality must be handled responsibly. They are not asked to investigate allegations, determine guilt or promise an outcome.

This introductory awareness course is intended for employees, workers, contractors and supervisors. It supports workplace prevention and refresher learning alongside local policies and support arrangements. A separate final assessment checks understanding of the material.

By completing this course, learners will be able to:

• Describe sexual harassment using clear workplace examples.

• Identify concerning conduct across face-to-face and digital interactions.

• Explain why personal boundaries and power imbalances require attention.

• Recognise situations that may need preventative controls or advice.

• Describe the employee’s contribution to workplace prevention.

• Choose a safe and proportionate bystander response in a scenario.

• Respond supportively without investigating or making promises.

• Identify appropriate reporting and support routes.

• Explain why confidentiality and protection from retaliation need careful handling.

• Suggest practical actions that help maintain a respectful workplace.

Module 1 - Understanding Sexual Harassment at Work

Module Learning Outcomes

By the end of this Module, learners will be able to:

• Explain sexual harassment as unwanted conduct of a sexual nature.

• Explain the purpose-or-effect test and why intent is not required.

• Explain the additional reasonableness assessment where the allegation relies on the effect of the conduct.

• Distinguish sexual harassment from general bullying, unprofessional conduct and harassment related to other protected characteristics.

Module 2 - Recognising Sexual Harassment: Verbal, Non-Verbal, Physical and Digital Behaviour

Module Learning Outcomes

By the end of this Module, learners will be able to:

• Recognise verbal, non-verbal, physical and digital examples.

• Understand that a single incident can be serious enough to matter.

• Understand that work-related digital or outside-work conduct may still be relevant depending on its connection to employment.

• Know safer ways to document concerns and understand the risks of secret recordings.

Module 3 - Consent, Boundaries, Power Imbalances and Workplace Culture

Module Learning Outcomes

By the end of this Module, learners will be able to:

• Understand why professional boundaries matter.

• Recognise how seniority, job insecurity and power imbalance can affect a person's ability to object.

• Avoid using 'consent' as a substitute for the statutory legal test.

• Recognise that abuse of power may be treated as an aggravating factor when disciplinary action is considered.

Module 4 - Third-Party Sexual Harassment and Higher-Risk Workplace Situations

Module Learning Outcomes

By the end of this Module, learners will be able to:

• Recognise customers, clients, patients, service users, suppliers and others as possible third parties.

• Understand that the current preventative duty already includes reasonable steps to prevent third-party sexual harassment.

• Understand the separate third-party harassment liability change from 30 October 2026.

• Recognise higher-risk contexts and practical prevention measures.

Module 5 - Employer Preventative Duties, Risk Assessment and Reasonable Steps

Module Learning Outcomes

By the end of this Module, learners will be able to:

• Understand the preventative duty as proactive and anticipatory.

• Use the EHRC eight-step framework as practical guidance.

• Understand that what is reasonable depends on the organisation and the risk.

• Understand the 30 October 2026 move to 'all reasonable steps'.

Module 6 - Speaking Up, Bystander Action and Supporting Colleagues

Module Learning Outcomes

By the end of this Module, learners will be able to:

• Know safe bystander options.

• Support the person affected without pressuring them.

• Understand protection from victimisation when supporting certain Equality Act complaints.

• Know when a concern may also engage whistleblowing rules.

Module 7 - Reporting, Complaints, Victimisation, Whistleblowing and Confidentiality

Module Learning Outcomes

By the end of this Module, learners will be able to:

• Understand informal and formal reporting routes.

• Distinguish Equality Act victimisation from whistleblowing detriment.

• Understand the conditions for sexual-harassment whistleblowing protection from 6 April 2026 in Great Britain.

• Understand the limits of NDAs and confidentiality clauses.

Module 8 - Building a Respectful and Prevention-Focused Workplace

Module Learning Outcomes

By the end of this Module, learners will be able to:

• Understand that culture is shaped by everyday behaviour and management response.

• Use feedback and records to identify patterns and hidden risks.

• Understand the value of reviewing training, policy and controls.

• Recognise that prevention is shared, while legal compliance responsibilities remain organisational.

What You Need To Do This Course

No previous specialist qualification is required. Learners need sufficient English to follow the teaching and assessment, an internet connection and a suitable device for the online course. Access to the organisation’s relevant policies and reporting contacts will help learners apply the material at work.