Understanding the Workers Protection Act: What You Need to Know

The Workers Protection Act is a crucial piece of legislation that aims to safeguard employees from harassment and discrimination in the workplace. Its recent updates introduce new protections and accountability measures for both employers and workers, making it essential for organisations to comply. In this blog, we will explore what the Workers Protection Act is, its main protections, why it matters to you, and how you can implement it effectively, all while learning how Steps Drama-based training can support you in fostering a safe and inclusive workplace.

What is the Workers Protection Act?

The Workers Protection Act is designed to protect workers from any form of mistreatment in the workplace, particularly harassment and discrimination.

It sets forth standards that employers must meet to create a working environment that promotes dignity, safety, and equality for all employees, regardless of their race, gender, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

By making it a legal requirement for businesses to follow these standards, the Act seeks to create workplaces that are safe, supportive, and fair.

Workplace harassment can take many forms, from verbal abuse to physical misconduct, and the Workers Protection Act addresses these issues by obligating employers to implement clear policies and procedures for preventing, reporting, and addressing such behaviours.

The Act also covers various types of discrimination, including sexual harassment, racial harassment, and bullying, ensuring that no employee is subjected to unfair treatment.

How Did the Workers Protection Act Come to Be?

The rise of movements such as #MeToo and growing awareness of systemic workplace inequalities have spurred governments and lawmakers into action, leading to the development of more stringent worker protections.

While many countries, including the UK, already had anti-harassment and anti-discrimination laws in place, the existing frameworks were often considered insufficient.

Loopholes, vague definitions, and limited enforcement led to gaps in protection for workers. This resulted in the modernisation of previous policies, culminating in the Workers Protection Act.

The Act represents a collective response to public outcry and the need to protect vulnerable employees, especially those who were previously underrepresented.

It also draws from findings and reports from the International Labor Organization, which showed that 6% of employed people globally (more than 200 million) have experienced sexual violence and harassment in the workplace (and this is only reported accounts).

New Protections in the Workers Protection Act

The Workers Protection Act introduces several key changes designed to enhance protections for workers:

1. Expanded Definitions of Harassment
The Act broadens the traditional definition of workplace harassment, moving beyond sexual harassment to include other forms of inappropriate behaviour such as verbal abuse, physical intimidation, and discriminatory remarks. Racial, gender, and disability-based harassment are covered, ensuring that all forms of harmful conduct are addressed comprehensively.

2. Stronger Anti-Retaliation Measures
One of the challenges that employees often face when reporting harassment or discrimination is the fear of retaliation from their employer. Retaliation could include termination, demotion, or even social ostracisation at work. The Act makes it illegal for employers to retaliate against any worker who reports misconduct, ensuring that employees can raise concerns without fear of losing their job or being unfairly treated.

3. Mandatory Training for All Employees
One of the major updates in the Workers Protection Act is the requirement for employers to provide mandatory training on anti-harassment and anti-discrimination for all employees, including management. This training must educate workers on what constitutes harassment and discrimination, how to recognise it, and what steps they can take to report or prevent it. Importantly, this training must occur regularly to ensure that both new and existing employees are aware of their rights and responsibilities.

4. Higher Accountability for Employers and Management
Employers are now required to take more responsibility for preventing and addressing harassment and discrimination within their organisations. Failure to act on complaints, or creating an environment where harassment is tolerated, can result in legal action and fines. Senior management, in particular, must take an active role in ensuring the workplace is safe for all employees. The Act also makes it easier for employees to take legal action if they feel their complaints have been ignored or mishandled.

5. Longer Timeframes for Reporting
Acknowledging that employees may need time to come forward with complaints, the Workers Protection Act extends the time employees have to report incidents of harassment or discrimination. This allows victims to seek help even if they did not feel able to speak up immediately after the incident occurred.

Why Should You Care?

Understanding the Workers Protection Act is essential for both employers and employees. For businesses, non-compliance can lead to severe legal repercussions, including fines, lawsuits, and reputational damage.

For employees, the Act provides a clear framework for protecting their rights and ensuring that they are treated fairly at work. If you’d like to learn more on what constitutes as harassment and bullying, we suggest you read this factsheet from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

Workplace harassment and discrimination not only harm the individuals affected but can also have broader implications for the entire organisation.

A toxic work environment can lead to decreased morale, lower productivity, and higher turnover rates. On the flip side, companies that actively promote inclusivity and safety tend to see better employee engagement, higher retention rates, and improved overall performance.

Beyond the legal implications, creating a workplace that adheres to the Workers Protection Act is simply the right thing to do. Every employee deserves to work in an environment where they are respected, valued, and safe.

What You Need to Do

If you’re an employer, here are some steps you need to take to ensure compliance with the Workers Protection Act:

1. Update Your Policies and Procedures
Review your company’s anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies to ensure they meet the new requirements set forth by the Act. Make sure these policies are clearly outlined in your employee handbook and that all staff are aware of the procedures for reporting misconduct.

2. Provide Regular Training
Ensure that all employees, including managers, undergo regular training on harassment prevention, discrimination, and workplace equality. This should include real-life examples and interactive scenarios that help employees understand the importance of respectful behaviour.

3. Create Open Channels for Reporting
Set up easy-to-access reporting channels for employees to raise concerns about harassment or discrimination. This could include anonymous hotlines or online reporting forms. Make sure that employees feel comfortable using these channels and that they know their complaints will be taken seriously.

4. Investigate Complaints Thoroughly
Whenever a complaint is raised, investigate it promptly and impartially. Take appropriate action against any employees found guilty of harassment or discrimination, and ensure that the victim is supported throughout the process.

5. Monitor and Review
Regularly review your workplace culture and monitor any incidents of harassment or discrimination. Conduct employee surveys to assess whether staff feel safe and supported, and use this feedback to make improvements where necessary.

How Steps Drama-Based Training Can Help

At Steps, we specialise in using drama-based training to help organisations address complex workplace issues, such as harassment and discrimination.

Our training sessions go beyond traditional methods by engaging employees in real-life scenarios that reflect the challenges they may face in the workplace.

This interactive approach allows participants to see the impact of their actions and develop practical strategies for fostering a respectful, inclusive work environment.

Drama-based training is particularly effective in addressing sensitive topics because it brings these issues to life in a way that is both impactful and relatable.

By seeing how their behaviour affects others, employees are more likely to internalise the importance of appropriate workplace conduct and actively work to prevent harassment.

What Can I Do Now?

The Workers Protection Act represents a major step forward in creating safe and inclusive workplaces. Whether you are an employer or an employee, understanding your responsibilities under the Act is essential.

If you’re ready to take the next step towards creating a safer workplace, contact Steps today to learn more about our tailored drama-based training programmes. Together, we can create a working environment where everyone feels respected, valued, and protected.

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Always consult a legal professional for advice specific to your situation.