The newly amended Worker Protection Act (Amendment to the Equality Act 2010) or sexual harassment regulations are designed to tackle workplace harassment and are expected to impact sectors such as hospitality, entertainment and leisure.
The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) explained that real change will only be experienced if the industry fully embraces the necessary cultural shift in order to complement the legislation.
The updated regulations now introduce stronger protections, however the NTIA has acknowledged that the attitudes, behaviours, and working culture in many night-time industries still remain far behind legal progress, emphasising that laws alone are not enough to see real change occur.
The association stated it was essential a full buy-in across businesses be made, to ensure regulations translate into meaningful change for workers.
Catching up to do
The NTIA represents businesses within the night-time economy and supports the new regulations as an important framework for safeguarding workers.
However, the association have expressed they feel employers must go beyond compliance and foster a culture that values safety and respect for all employees.
The association stresses the call for proactive measures in order to address the deeper rooted issues centred around workplace culture, and hopes to see a genuine shift In attitudes throughout night time based workplace environments. This call from the association aims to prevent these laws amounting to a neglected, forgotten policy, with no real effect being felt.
NTIA COO Silvana Kill said: "While we applaud the new legal protections against sexual harassment, the reality is that the culture in many workplaces still has some catching up to do. Our sector thrives on the energy and diversity of its workforce, and their safety must be paramount.”
Kill continued: “Real progress will depend on full commitment to fostering positive change across every level of the industry, from owners to managers and front-line staff."
New regulation points
The new regulations include mandatory staff training, clearer reporting mechanisms, and more robust disciplinary actions. The NTIA also urges the government to recognise the additional pressures these changes place on small and medium-sized enterprises throughout the night-time sector. Many of which, may need financial and logistical support in order to meet their legal obligations while creating a cultural environment that reflects the new change in legislations.
In the coming months, the NTIA has plans to work closely with industry leaders, legal professionals, and key stakeholders to provide guidance and resources on fostering a safe, respectful and inclusive environment for both workers and employees.
