6 top tips to deal with sexual harassment

Speaking exclusively to HR Grapevine, Stephen Williams, Head of Equality at Acas, gives six top tips for HR departments dealing with allegations of sexual harassment.

1. Separate the alleged perpetrator and victim

Williams says, “Separating could mean that the people do different jobs in different parts of the organisation whilst the HR department investigates. If that is not possible, it could mean suspending one of the people on full pay. Generally it is the alleged perpetrator that is suspended with full pay. Effort is made to emphasise that suspension in no way implies or infers that the facts are being pre-judged. “

2. Keep in mind is that accusations of sexual harassment have to be dealt with formally.