TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak has called on ministers to provide clear guidance on new sexual harassment legislation, warning that too many workplaces still have cultures that allow abuse to flourish.
Writing in the Mirror, Mr Nowak said the uncomfortable truth is that even in 2026 too many workplaces have cultures and systems that allow abuse to flourish and fail women when they report it. He noted that in most cases the perpetrator is a male colleague, with nearly one in five women saying the harassment came from their direct manager or another person with power over them.
New legal duty on employers
Changes to the law under the Employment Rights Act last month require employers to take reasonable steps to stop sexual harassment. However, the Government has not set out clearly what this means for bosses in law.
Mr Nowak said the new workplace protections introduced by the government are important because for the first time employers have a legal duty to take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment, including harassment by customers, clients and other third parties. He described this as a significant shift.
Call for ministerial action
He added that the government has promised to set out clearly what employers must do to meet their new responsibilities, and ministers now need to get on with it so every employer understands exactly what is expected of them.
Mr Nowak warned that sexual predators exist in television studios, offices, warehouses, hospitals, shops, and in the trade union movement too. He said they thrive in cultures where complaints are dismissed, rumours are ignored and too many people stay silent.
Context of recent cases
The comments follow Russell Brand's conviction and accusations against David Walliams. Brand, 51, was sentenced to more than a decade in prison on Monday after being found guilty of raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others in a trial at Southwark Crown Court.
On Friday the Metropolitan Police launched an investigation into Mr Walliams over reports of alleged serious sexual offences. It comes after several women separately accused the entertainer of sexual misconduct in an investigation by the Guardian and ITV. Walliams has previously denied wrongdoing.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy had earlier warned TV bosses the Government will not hesitate to take action if they fail to protect women from celebrity abusers.
Under the changes to the law, employers are required to take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment before it occurs, which could include having a clear reporting policy or training staff. Protections have also been expanded to third parties so bosses are also expected to protect staff from clients and customers.
A Government spokesperson said: “There must be no hiding place for those who abuse their position. Strengthening the law to better protect women at work is an essential step as we work to shift attitudes and build a society where women can live freely. The EHRC and Acas have updated their guidance on workplace sexual harassment. Employers need to take preventative steps, as well as have clear reporting channels, and training for staff to understand what sexual harassment is, what to do if they experience or witness it, and how to handle reports of harassment.”
