Since October 2024, every UK employer has been legally required to take active steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. Over a year later, there is still uncertainty across many industries, including maritime, about how many organisations have meaningfully adapted their practices to meet this new standard. With the festive season approaching, a time when workplace risks typically increase, now is a crucial moment for employers to reassess their approach.
Sexual harassment remains a serious HR issue and a significant cultural and legal risk. The Equality and Human Rights Commission’s 2024 Technical Guidance makes clear that employers must take reasonable steps to prevent harassment or risk vicarious liability. The Worker Protection Act 2023, which amended the Equality Act 2010 when it came into force last October, raises expectations by shifting the duty from reacting to complaints to actively preventing them. This change places an obligation on organisations to ensure their people understand what harassment is, how to recognise it and what to do if it occurs. Policies must be clear, visible and genuinely embedded in daily practice, not stored away out of sight. Above all, employers need to foster a workplace culture where staff can raise concerns early, before issues escalate.
To help organisations meet these expectations, Mintra a leading provider of digital learning and human capital management solutions for safety-critical industries, has launched ANST 001 Sexual Harassment Awareness and Prevention, a course developed specifically for managers working under Great British law.
The training has been produced in partnership with legal and workplace conduct specialists Anderson Strathern, providing leaders with practical guidance on their responsibilities and how to create a safe, respectful working environment. Musab Hemsi, Partner at Anderson Strathern, notes: “This is an important issue for employers who want to ensure they are taking all necessary steps to protect their employees from harm and their business from risk. We are delighted to be partnering with Mintra to deliver this critical training to their clients and the wider market.”
Amy Reid, People and Culture Director at Mintra, highlights that prevention must be more than a compliance exercise. She explains: “This is not just a tick box exercise. If handled correctly, prevention training does not just protect the business; it safeguards the people who make that business possible. We should not be tolerating harassment in any form, whether sexual or related to personal beliefs. At Mintra, we want to go beyond what the law requires, creating a culture where everyone is treated fairly, equitably and with respect.”
The course itself is fully aligned with the Worker Protection Act 2023 and the Equality Act 2010, ensuring the content reflects the most current legal requirements. It has been developed by subject matter experts to ensure it is accurate, practical and authoritative. The training is interactive and engaging, encouraging participation rather than passive learning, and it has been designed to make a sensitive and complex subject manageable for busy professionals. At £80, it is accessible for organisations of all sizes.
By the end of the course, participants will have a clear understanding of the behaviours that constitute sexual harassment under UK law and the responsibilities held by both employers and employees in preventing it. They will be equipped to take appropriate action when concerns arise and will be able to assess their organisation’s policies to ensure they are both compliant and effective.
The training is relevant to managers, supervisors, team leaders, HR professionals, compliance officers, business owners and senior leaders. For maritime employers in particular, where dispersed teams, multicultural crews and remote HR oversight can add complexity, the need for clear guidance and proactive leadership is even more pronounced.
Preventing harassment is not simply about following the law; it is about leading cultural change. Organisations that take this seriously not only protect their people but strengthen their reputation, resilience and long-term culture. With Mintra’s ANST 001 Sexual Harassment Awareness and Prevention course, employers can meet their legal obligations while creating safer, more respectful workplaces.