Wednesday May 6th 2026
East Lothian Council headquarters
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp
Council workers who sexually harass colleagues will be given remedial training under a new policy.
East Lothian Council has drawn up a new Prevention of Sexual Harassment Policy for its staff after new laws came into force making employers take ‘reasonable steps’ to protect them.
A report due to go before the council’s cabinet next week says a new phone helpline and e-mail helpline has been set up for workers along with introducing mandatory training for all managers and their staff and the introduction of posters and information cards in the workplace.
And it reveals that following a consultation on the policy it had been agreed to make some ‘minor changes’ including a “commitment to providing remedial training for employees found to have sexually harassed colleagues”
Additional measures introduced also include the need for managers to consider limiting contact between the employee raising the concern and the employee accused of the behaviour and reasonable time off for employees who wish to report sexual harassment to the police.
The report says: “This policy was developed to outline East Lothian Council’s commitments in relation to supporting employees who witness or experience sexual harassment by a colleague or third party at work.
“The policy reflects the duties placed on employers in line with the Worker Protection (Amendment to Equality Act 2010) Act 2023, which came into force in April 2025, which requires employers to take ‘reasonable steps’ to prevent sexual harassment of their employees.
“Previously, arrangements for dealing with sexual harassment at work were covered by the council’s Prevention of Harassment Policy.
“However, the introduction of the legislation placed responsibilities on employers to take preventative measures and reasonable steps to avoid sexual harassment at work, requiring a more explicit policy.”
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