Charlotte BloomfieldThere’s been some new guidance and other interesting papers on employment-related themes over the past month.
- Acas guidance on sexual harassment – Acas has updated its guidance on sexual harassment to reflect the new duty on employers, which came into force on 26 October. It includes a list of higher risk factors that employers should consider, and some example steps to prevent harassment: What sexual harassment is – Sexual harassment – Acas
- Acas guidance on gender reassignment discrimination – Acas has also updated its guidance on gender reassignment discrimination in the workplace. It includes steps employers should take to prevent discrimination: Preventing discrimination – Gender reassignment discrimination – Acas
- ONS gender pay gap data – the Office for National Statistics has published annual statistics on the gender pay gap. In April 2024, the pay gap for full-time employees was 7% (down from 7.5% in 2023). It is larger for employees aged over 40 and among high earners: Gender pay gap in the UK – Office for National Statistics
- White Paper: Get Britain Working – the DWP has published a white paper, which sets out how the Government intends to achieve an 80% employment rate by targeting the causes of unemployment and inactivity. It includes changing the Apprenticeship Levy into a Growth and Skills Levy and an independent review into the role of UK employers in promoting healthy and inclusive workplaces, focusing on what can be done to enable employers to increase the recruitment and retention of disabled people and those with a health condition: Get Britain Working White Paper – GOV.UK