If you have not looked properly at the Worker Protection Amendment yet, this is your nudge.

Since October 2024, all UK employers have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment at work. And yes, that includes small businesses. There is no “we are too small for that” exception.

In this episode of Buzzing About HR, I break down what that duty actually means in real life. Not in legal waffle. In practical terms. What you need in place, what tribunals will care about, and where small businesses often get caught out.

Because this is not just about having a policy tucked away in a folder no one reads. It is about whether your people know what is okay, what is not, how to raise a concern, and whether managers will actually do something sensible if they do.

We talk about what reasonable steps look like for a small team. Updated policies. Some kind of training. A clear reporting route. Managers who know how to respond. A workplace culture where concerns are taken seriously instead of brushed off as “banter” or “just how they are”.

I also tackle the myths that get businesses into trouble. No, being small does not get you off the hook. No, “they did not mean anything by it” is not a defence. And no, waiting until someone complains is not prevention.

We get into the real-world questions too. Staff nights out. Customer behaviour. What to do if someone raises something informally. How to handle concerns quickly without making the whole thing worse.

This episode is about taking sexual harassment prevention off the scary pile and turning it into something manageable. Because prevention is always easier, cheaper, and kinder than panic after the event.

If you run a small business, manage a team, or know this is something you keep meaning to sort properly, this one is for you.

Subscribe, share it with a manager who needs to hear it, and leave a review so more small businesses can find practical HR support before this becomes a bigger problem.

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If you're not sure how your HR is really holding up, take the free HR Health Check. It's short, jargon-free, and gives you a clear score on what's working and what could do with a bit of love.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe so you never miss one, and leave a review if you've got thirty seconds. It honestly does help more small business owners find the show, and it's the cheapest good deed you'll do all week.

Got a question or need actual HR support? Find Kate at kateunderwoodhr.co.uk, email [email protected], or follow along on social.

Until next time, keep buzzing, and take care of your people.