Topics

Equality, diversity and human rights

New and updated

  • Type:
    FAQs

    If a third party harasses an employee, will the employer be liable for the third party's actions under the Equality Act 2010?

    The Employment Rights Act 2025 provisions under which employers can be liable for third-party harassment of their employees are due to come into effect on 30 October 2026.

  • Type:
    Quick reference

    Dates for your diary

    Updated to include dates for October 2026 including Black History Month, World Menopause Month and World Mental Heath Day. 

  • Type:
    Employment law guide

    Victimisation

    The case of Leighton v Renfrewshire Council considered when assisting someone else can amount to a protected act for the purposes of a victimisation claim.

  • Date:
    29 July 2026
    Type:
    News

    HMRC trainee awarded £155k after staff 'colluded' against him

    A trainee investigator for HM Revenue and Customs has been awarded £155,000 for victimisation, failure to make reasonable adjustments and disability-related harassment.

  • Type:
    Employment law guide

    Disability discrimination: discrimination arising from disability

    The case of Shah v Home Office dealt with the causation test for discrimination arising from disability. It provides a useful reminder for HR that an employer does not have to be motivated by the employee’s disability for such a claim to succeed. The key question is whether the unfavourable treatment was because of something arising from the employee’s disability.

  • Type:
    Policies and procedures

    Anti-sexual harassment policy

    A model policy to set out your organisation's commitment to preventing sexual harassment at work, including the procedure for raising and investigating complaints of sexual harassment. This policy forms part of a two-policy approach and should be used alongside our Anti-harassment and anti-bullying policy (harassment other than sexual harassment).

  • Type:
    Policies and procedures

    Anti-harassment and anti-bullying policy (harassment other than sexual harassment)

    A model policy to set out your organisation's commitment to preventing bullying and harassment at work, including the procedure for raising and investigating complaints of bullying and harassment (other than sexual harassment). This policy forms part of a two-policy approach and should be used alongside our Anti-sexual harassment policy.

  • Type:
    Policies and procedures

    Anti-harassment and anti-bullying policy (all forms of harassment)

    The Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces employer liability for harassment by third parties and strengthens the duty to prevent sexual harassment. The policy wording has been updated to help employers prepare for the changes expected to come into force on 30 October 2026. The EHRC is currently working to update its technical guidance to reflect the forthcoming changes, and this policy will be reviewed again once the updated guidance is published.

  • Date:
    22 July 2026
    Type:
    News

    Revoking job offer after cancer diagnosis was discrimination

    A care worker whose job offer was revoked after revealing she had breast cancer has won £17,000 in a disability discrimination claim.

  • Type:
    Legal timetable

    Liability for third-party harassment and duty to take all reasonable steps

    Updated to confirm that employer liability for third-party harassment, and the duty to take all reasonable steps, are expected to come into effect on 30 October 2026, according to the Government's updated timeline. 

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HR and legal information and guidance relating to equality, diversity and human rights.

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