May 1, 2026 | Mark Hudson, Compliance Content Specialist

The UK Employment Rights Act (enacted December 2025) introduces major changes to employment law, including expanded paternity/parental leave rights, stronger unfair dismissal protections, and enhanced flexible working. 

For harassment compliance, two key deadlines stand out: 

  • April 2026: Sexual harassment complaints qualify as protected whistleblowing disclosures, raising expectations for how reports are handled and safeguarded from retaliation  
  • October 2026: Employers must take all reasonable steps to prevent and correct harassment — a higher legal standard requiring more proactive and comprehensive measures, including training. Employers must also prevent and address harassment by third parties. 

As a result, organizations with UK employees should be prepared to demonstrate that their harassment prevention efforts are active, documented, and effective in practice, not just policy based. 

Traliant’s Preventing Workplace Harassment – UK Edition is aligned with evolving enforcement expectations.