With important changes to UK employment law approaching, Imagine Training is encouraging businesses to review their approach to preventing workplace sexual harassment and ensure HR professionals have the knowledge and practical skills to support their organisations.

From 30 October 2026, the Employment Rights Act 2025 strengthens employers' legal responsibilities to prevent sexual harassment at work. Businesses will be required to take all reasonable steps, rather than simply reasonable steps, to prevent sexual harassment. New provisions will also introduce employer liability for certain harassment by third parties, including customers and clients, where appropriate preventative measures have not been taken.

For organisations of all sizes, these changes highlight the importance of understanding workplace responsibilities and ensuring that preventative measures go beyond written policies.

Turning Workplace Responsibilities into Practical Action

Having a workplace harassment policy is an important starting point, but businesses also need to consider how effectively their policies are understood, communicated and implemented. The Equality and Human Rights Commission recommends a proactive approach to preventing sexual harassment, including assessing workplace risks, establishing clear reporting procedures, providing relevant training and regularly reviewing preventative measures.

HR professionals have a particularly important role in helping businesses translate these requirements into everyday workplace practices. From supporting managers and reviewing existing procedures to addressing concerns and identifying potential risks, HR teams need the knowledge and confidence to help organisations take appropriate action.

Practical Training from Imagine Training

As a provider of professional development and workplace training, Imagine Training helps organisations equip their employees and managers with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate changing workplace requirements.

Its specialist course, Preventing Sexual Harassment: A Practical Course for HR Professionals, is designed to develop HR professionals' understanding of workplace sexual harassment and the practical considerations involved in prevention.

The course provides an opportunity for HR professionals to strengthen their knowledge and consider how the subject applies within their own organisations. Effective training is an important part of a wider preventative approach. By investing in professional development, businesses can support those responsible for implementing workplace policies, advising managers and promoting respectful working environments.

Importantly, training should complement, rather than replace, appropriate policies, risk assessments and reporting arrangements.

Supporting Businesses Beyond Compliance

Imagine Training offers a broad range of professional development courses designed to help businesses develop their people, strengthen management capabilities and respond to evolving workplace challenges.

Alongside its sexual harassment prevention course, Imagine Training provides training in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Mental Health First Aid, First Aid for Managers, First Aid Refreshers, Strategic Thinking for Leaders and Microsoft 365, including Copilot.

Whether your organisation wants to strengthen awareness of expected workplace behaviour, responsibilities, risks, policies and appropriate responses, support employee wellbeing, develop its leadership team or improve digital skills, Imagine Training can help you invest in your workforce’s knowledge and capabilities.

Invest in Your People with Imagine Training

With workplace responsibilities continuing to evolve, providing employees and managers with relevant, up-to-date training is an important part of organisational development.

Imagine Training works with businesses to support professional learning and help teams develop practical knowledge they can apply in their roles.

To find out more about Preventing Sexual Harassment: A Practical Course for HR Professionals, or to explore Imagine Training's wider course offering, visit www.imaginetraining.biz or contact the team on 01952 581 550.