Companies to shoulder responsibility for harassment outside the office

Businesses will face harassment risks beyond their own workplaces, including at client meetings, events, and in interactions with suppliers and service providers, as new employment laws take effect at the end of this month. Currently, employers face direct liability only for harassment committed by their own staff. But on 30 October the UK government will reintroduce liability for third-party harassment under the Employment Rights Act. Under the new law, businesses may be held liable for harassment their staff suffered at the hands of third parties. The scope of these offences can include sexist remarks made by a host at an awards dinner that a third party arranged, offensive remarks regarding religion said to an employee by a potential client, or a supplier making discriminatory jokes on a factory visit. Andrew Moore, partner at Addleshaw Goddard, told City AM, The reintroduction of employer liability for third-party harassment means businesses need to think carefully about