PIMFA
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New legislation coming into effect on 26 October 2024 strengthens the protections available to employees from sexual harassment, by introducing a new duty on employers to “take reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment.
This new duty creates a new risk area for employers, and adds to the onus on employers to take proactive steps to prevent sexual harassment occurring. There will be a corresponding new compensation uplift of up to 25%, for breach of the new duty although the implications of being found not to have complied with it are more likely to be material from a reputational standpoint.
The new duty comes hot on the heels of the Treasury Select Committee’s Sexism in the City inquiry and the PRA and FCA’s recent consultations on measures to improve diversity and inclusion and to revamp how firms should manage allegations of non-financial misconduct, which of course includes sexual misconduct and harassment.
This FREE 60-minute session will cover all these latest developments and focus on what HR and legal teams in members firms should be doing to prepare now.
This lively and interactive session will consider:
- Why employers need to continue to take sexual harassment seriously
- The FCA’s approach to non-financial misconduct
- Anonymity protections which may apply to the complainant automatically where a criminal offence may have been committed
- The proposed new duty, how it will apply and the consequences of breach
- Proactive steps employers should start to take to prepare for the new duty
By attending this session, you will be able to:
- Understand the legal, reputational and business risks associated with sexual harassment complaints
- Learn about the FCA’s approach to non-financial misconduct and workplace culture
- Appreciate why firms in the financial services industry must continue to take steps to address and improve workplace culture
- Understand what taking proactive steps to prevent sexual harassment means in practice
- Have a route map to take you through all of these changes
Who should attend this session?
Senior HR, legal, DEI, Talent and L&D professionals within PIMFA member firms
More about Chris Holme
Chris is a leading lawyer in the field of employment law; supporting employers with the full range of issues that they face.
He works predominately in the financial services and professional services sectors, supporting a number of law firms, accountancy firms, banks and asset managers. He leads the firm’s professional services sector group, and also our Employment team’s financial services and professional services groups.
In relation to the work Chris carries out, it includes the most complex and reputationally significant work within the employment area.
In relation to how Chris works, he partners with employers, gets to know their business, and becomes an extension of their in-house team. This enables him to deliver commercial and pragmatic advice which really works for the businesses he partners with.
Chris has also previously worked in-house as an employment lawyer at two North American investment banks.
