We are delighted that today the Worker Protection Bill has passed its final stage in the House of Commons, which means it will become law before the end of this year. 

Everybody deserves to feel safe at work but the harsh reality is that too many women don't because workplace cultures allow sexual harassment to thrive. Recent news stories have shown just how deep the crisis runs, and the research backs it up. At a minimum, sexual harassment is experienced by 40% of women in the workforce over the course of their career. Different women experience different rates and forms of harassment. People of colour report even higher rates of sexual harassment while 68% of disabled women and LGBTQ+ workers have experienced workplace harassment.

Fawcett is incredibly proud to have led, along with Wera Hobhouse MP and the This Is Not Working Alliance, on bringing in this legislation that will begin to make work safe for everybody.

This work would not have been possible without Fawcett members, who threw their support behind this critical reform. Join today.

This law will create a 'preventative duty': a requirement that employers prevent sexual harassment from happening in their workplaces and moves us from a culture of a culture of redress to one of prevention. This means clear policies, training, and proper and impartial investigations into reported harassment.

The Equalities and Human Rights Commission will be able to take enforcement action against firms who breach this duty, and businesses will be liable to individuals as part of wider sexual harassment claims at an employment tribunal.