Warning on new sexual harassment guidelines

01 January 2000
Warning on new sexual harassment guidelines

Hospitality employers face an increase in compensation claims for sexual harassment, legal experts warned last week.

Lawyers say new guidelines to help settle sexual harassment cases could leave businesses open to more claims.

Hospitality businesses have to ensure that staff are free from harassment not only by fellow employees but also by customers.

Under the guidelines, managers are expected to spot a potential problem before it gets out of hand rather than wait for complaints.

Jane Bullen, partner in legal firm Theodore Goddard, said that there could be people willing to "try it on" with the increased chance of getting compensation and that employers needed to be vigilant to minimise their own risk of getting sued.

"Just to have a policy in a handbook is no protection at all. Employers should deal with incidents whether there is a complaint or not," said Bullen.

Sarah Winter, senior associate of legal firm Eversheds, said: "In a tribunal the employer has to be seen to be proactive, otherwise it won't be let off the hook," she said.

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