Wednesday May 13th 2026
East Lothian Council headquarters
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Stuart Sommerville
Councillors in East Lothian have given unanimous backing to a new policy to prevent sexual harassment.
A meeting of the Cabinet heard assurances that the policy was not “done and dusted” but flexible enough to respond to changing circumstances.
Depute leader councillor Shamin Akhtar said the new policy was: “really clear there’s an impact on individuals and there will also be consequences.”
“It is not acceptable behaviour”
The Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed last week that council workers who sexually harass colleagues will be given remedial training .
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 before the council’s Cabinet said 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.
Councillors asked for and were given assurances that the policy would be flexible enough to respond to an ever changing workplace.
Councillor Colin McGinn told the meeting: “If we need to we’ll adapt. It’s an ever changing world and it’s an ever changing workplace and the risks come from unseen sources that we didn’t envision.
“Social media, emails text messages; these are things that have come into our workplace and they have to be included within this policy and they are so I’m grateful, and I’m grateful for the opportunity it’s going to give everybody to feel valued in a culture that supports them. “
Councillor Akhtar said “ Our staff are our biggest asset its really important that our staff are clear that we have a zero tolerance policy of sexual harassment. and that staff feel that they do work in a safe respected environment and with dignity and respect and the we create that culture where they are fully able to report those incidents and those are dealt with seriously and appropriately and I’im really keen to make sure that we are looking at this policy on an ongoing basis any good practice from other local authorities should also be looked at as well.
“There’s impact on individuals but there will also be consequences. It is not acceptable behaviour.”
[mobile_as_sc]
An officer told the meeting: “The obligation is centred on training and awareness of the policies. We want everyone in the workplace to feel safe and respected. That is part of building on the culture that we already have out there.”
The report to committee said: “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.”
Tweet Share on FacebookNews
