Since October 2024, employers have been under a positive legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of their staff.
That includes risks from third parties such as customers, contractors and suppliers, and it applies whether or not anyone has complained.
Where the duty is breached, a tribunal can increase compensation by up to twenty-five per cent, and the ICO aside, this is one of the few areas where a regulator can act without a complaint from an individual. The Employment Rights Act 2025 strengthens the position further.
Compliance means being able to show what steps you actually took, before anything happened.
We help with:
- a documented risk assessment covering where harassment could occur;
- an anti-harassment policy that reflects the risks you identified;
- reporting routes people would realistically use, including anonymous options;
- manager and staff training, with attendance recorded;
- third-party risks: events, travel, customer-facing and lone working; and
- handling a complaint when one is made.
The question in any claim is what steps you took and when, so everything is documented and dated. We keep it proportionate to your size and sector rather than delivering a corporate programme to a team of fifteen.
Where a complaint escalates to a Tribunal claim, we will refer you to a specialist and support you from behind.
Our Approach
Legal advice that makes running and growing your business easier.
We start with your business, not the law.
Before we open a document, we want to understand what you are trying to do commercially. The legal answer is only useful if it serves that.
We get to the point.
You get a clear view of what matters and what does not, in plain English, with the real risks separated from the noise.
We give you an answer.
Not a menu of options and a shrug. We tell you what we would do, why, and where there is a genuine judgment call for you to make.
We stay available.
Whether you work with us on a single project or on a subscription, we are here for the follow-up question. We would always rather you asked.
Ways of working together
Fixed-fee projects
A single, defined piece of work for an agreed fixed fee, communicated before we engage. Reviewing a contract, drafting your terms, handling a negotiation.
No surprises and no hidden fees
Flagship Subscription
Ares Access
Ongoing support on a fixed monthly subscription, for businesses that need commercial legal input regularly rather than as the occasional one-off.
- Dedicated lawyer
- Fixed monthly fees
- Commercial advice on demand
From £500 plus VAT per month
Legal Health Check
Fixed fee of £2,000 plus VAT
Any questions?
Phone: 02382 420035
