Who it is for
Employers in England, Wales and Scotland who want one clear policy on equality and behaviour at work.
What it covers
- The nine protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.
- Direct and indirect discrimination, discrimination arising from disability, reasonable adjustments, pregnancy and maternity, and victimisation.
- Harassment and sexual harassment, explained plainly.
- Your duty to prevent sexual harassment, with space to list the measures you actually have in place.
- Bullying, everyone's responsibilities, and how to raise a concern, including harassment by customers and other third parties.
- Consequences of breaching the policy, reasonable adjustments, and monitoring and review.
The law it reflects
Checked against the law in Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland) as at 19 October 2026.
- Since 26 October 2024, employers must take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of their employees (Equality Act 2010, s.40A). A tribunal can increase compensation by up to 25% for a breach.
- From 30 October 2026 (Employment Rights Act 2025, ss.20 and 21), that becomes a duty to take all reasonable steps, and employers become liable for harassment of their employees by third parties, such as customers and clients, unless they took all reasonable steps to prevent it.
- Under the Equality Act, sex means biological sex (For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16). Trans people are protected under gender reassignment.
- Since 6 April 2026, reporting sexual harassment can be a protected disclosure (whistleblowing) under the Employment Rights Act 1996, s.43B(1)(da). The person raising it, and anyone who supports them, is protected from detriment.
Before you use it
It is a starting point, not legal advice. Fill in the placeholders, set your own timescales, and check it fits how your organisation actually works. Take advice if a case is complex, could involve discrimination, or may end up at a tribunal. Northern Ireland has different rules in several areas.
Need more? See the Harassment Prevention Pack. 15 documents and a training deck built on the EHRC eight steps, with reasonable steps and third-party risk assessments, a reporting framework and a board assurance report. From £149 + VAT, one-off.