Key insights from our workplace culture survey
Preparing for the new duty on sexual harassment prevention
We recently conducted a workplace culture survey that gathered valuable insights from employers across various sectors on how they are managing and shaping workplace culture. For those who did not participate, we wanted to share some of the key findings, especially in light of the new legal duty to prevent sexual harassment, effective from 26 October 2024.
Key Findings: strengths and opportunities
Our survey included responses from 58 employers spanning sectors such as education, healthcare, manufacturing, and more. Here are some of the most significant trends and observations:
- Cultural values and practices: While 86.7% of employers reported having clearly defined cultural values, only a small proportion conduct regular reviews to ensure these values stay relevant. Structured approaches, like annual reviews and targeted training, can help embed these values into everyday practices.
- Training and awareness: Although most organisations have formal policies on preventing sexual harassment, the survey revealed a need for more consistent training. Only 17.5% of employers offer annual training, indicating an opportunity for more regular and engaging efforts to raise awareness and educate staff.
- Risk assessments and action plans: A key finding was that only 13.8% of employers regularly carry out risk assessments related to workplace culture and harassment. This highlights a significant gap, especially considering the updated EHRC technical guidance advises employers to carry out risk assessments. Regular risk assessments, combined with well-structured action plans, are likely to be critical for compliance with the new duty.
- Leadership engagement: Fewer than half of the respondents actively involve leadership in initiatives to promote a zero-tolerance approach to harassment, suggesting an opportunity for stronger leadership commitment and visibility in driving positive culture change.
How we can support your organisation
With the new legal duty on sexual harassment set to take effect, employers will be required to take reasonable steps to prevent harassment in the workplace. This shift demands a more proactive, structured approach. To help you align with these requirements, we offer a comprehensive suite of services.
Here’s how we can help:
- Risk assessments: Our team can guide you through the process of conducting thorough risk assessments, identifying potential hotspots for harassment, and developing strategies to mitigate these risks. This ensures that your organisation is taking proactive steps to prevent harassment, in line with the new legal requirements.
We offer a template risk assessment form designed to meet the EHRC's technical guidance. This is available for a fixed fee for those happy to work independently to adapt it as required for their organisation. If you need more tailored support, we can assist in completing the assessment and provide practical advice to ensure it is customised to your specific context.
- Action plans: The value of a clear, structured action plan cannot be understated, particularly in light of the advice contained in the updated EHRC guidance. We can help you draft an action plan that outlines the preventive steps your organisation will take, ensuring these measures are monitored, regularly reviewed, and easily communicated.
According to the updated EHRC guidance, employers should consider publishing their action plans on their websites, showing transparency and a commitment to maintaining a safe and respectful workplace. Our team can assist in creating action plans that are comprehensive, practical, and suitable for public disclosure. - Engaging staff effectively: effective staff engagement is essential to fostering a positive workplace culture and ensuring that your policies are both practical and impactful. We can support you in implementing strategies that promote open dialogue and encourage feedback, such as:
- Staff surveys: Regular surveys help gauge employee sentiment and identify areas where improvements can be made. We can design surveys tailored to your organisation’s needs, ensuring anonymity to encourage honest feedback. We can also help you analyse survey data and its value in your organisation's wider workplace culture strategy
- Policy efficacy reviews: Periodic reviews of your organisation's policies can help assess their relevance and impact. We can assist you in evaluating the efficacy of your current policies, identifying gaps, and updating them as needed to align with best practices and legal requirements.
- Lessons learned sessions: After any incident or initiative, lessons learned sessions provide valuable insights to improve future processes. We can facilitate these sessions, helping your team understand what worked well and where there are opportunities for improvement.
- Opportunities for feedback: Exit interviews and other feedback mechanisms allow you to learn from employee experiences and refine your approach to workplace culture. We can help you develop structured feedback processes to ensure you capture valuable insights from your workforce.
- Strategy planning sessions: To help leadership teams understand and address the new duty, we offer strategy planning sessions that focus on integrating risk management into your broader workplace culture strategy. Led by either a VWV lawyer, an NQHR consultant, or both in a hybrid approach, these sessions are designed to help you develop a robust strategy tailored to your organisation’s needs.
Additional support services
We recognise that every organisation’s journey to a positive workplace culture is unique, and we provide flexible support to meet your needs. In addition to risk assessments and action plans, we offer:
- Workplace culture audits: Our audits offer a comprehensive review of your organisation’s overall culture, assessing key areas such as leadership engagement, communication, and inclusivity. Unlike the targeted risk assessments, these audits provide a broader evaluation, identifying cultural strengths and opportunities for improvement. Through staff surveys, feedback analysis, and strategic insights, we help you create a long-term framework for continuous culture enhancement across the organisation.
- Tailored training solutions: By investing in the learning and development of your workforce, you can mitigate against risk and improve workplace culture. Our flexible training options—available via eLearning, in-person, and remotely—equip your workforce with essential knowledge and skills. Topics include understanding sexual harassment, conducting investigations, and promoting psychological safety. Our tailored solutions ensure your team receives engaging and relevant training.
Contact us for support
By investing in risk assessments, action plans, up-to-date training and proactive strategies now, you can meet your legal obligations and help safeguard your organisation’s future.