Third party harassment and the FE sector

New discrimination legislation has recently come into force in the form of the Equality Act 2010 and it will affect all employers, including those in the FE sector. 

The Equality Act makes you potentially liable for the harassment of your staff caused by third parties who are not employed by the college, e.g. your suppliers. 

You will only be liable in certain circumstances – where it has happened on at least two previous occasions, and where you are aware of it and you have not taken reasonable steps to prevent it from happening again.

This new form came into force on 1 October 2010. Iain Jenkins, partner and employment expert at Leeds law firm Lee & Priestley, says it is vital that employers in the FE sector familiarise themselves with the new law to avoid the risk of facing unexpected discrimination claims, compensation for which is uncapped.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QNdYvNHpRg

Iain Jenkins, Partner and Employment expert, Lee & Priestley