With tougher legal responsibilities coming into force on 30 October, Female Safety App urges employers to review workplace safety as research reveals fewer than one in three women report sexual harassment.
With just days to go until changes to workplace harassment laws take effect, businesses are being urged to review the measures they have in place to protect female employees.
Research published by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in 2023 found that 58% of women had experienced sexual harassment, bullying or verbal abuse at work, while 52% of women aged 18–34 had experienced harassment from a third party, such as a customer or client.
Despite this, only 30% of women who experienced sexual harassment reported it to their employer.
From 30 October 2026, changes introduced by the Employment Rights Act 2025 will strengthen employers’ legal duty to prevent sexual harassment at work.
Employers in England, Scotland and Wales will be required to take “all reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment of their employees, replacing the existing requirement to take “reasonable steps”.
The legislation will also introduce liability for harassment by third parties, including customers, clients, patients and contractors, where employers have failed to take all reasonable steps to prevent it.
This protection extends beyond sexual harassment to other forms of harassment covered by the Equality Act 2010.
Acas advises businesses to review their policies, assess workplace risks, provide appropriate training and ensure employees have clear ways to report concerns.
Alicia Redgrave, Project Director for Female Safety App, said:
“Fewer than one in three women experiencing sexual harassment report it to their employer. That should concern every business.
“If women don’t feel comfortable speaking up, how can employers really understand what is happening within their workforce?
“With the new legislation just days away, businesses need to be asking whether they’re doing enough. Having a policy is important, but women also need practical support and safe ways to report concerns.
“You cannot address a problem you cannot see. This isn’t simply about meeting legal responsibilities; it’s about making sure women feel safe, listened to and supported at work.”
Supporting safer workplaces with Female Safety App Enterprise
Female Safety App offers a dedicated Enterprise platform designed to help businesses strengthen employee safety and improve incident reporting.
Employees can access SOS alerts, live location sharing, Track Me journey monitoring, secure incident reporting and evidence capture directly from their phones, supported by a human-led response team to help assess and respond to incidents.
A bespoke Enterprise dashboard allows employers to monitor reported incidents, identify patterns and better understand potential risks within their workforce. The platform also includes organisation-wide notifications, reporting and analytics, with a dedicated account manager supporting training, rollout and ongoing use.
Designed to complement existing HR and workplace safety procedures, the platform gives employers additional tools to support their female employees.
Female Safety App is offering businesses a free demonstration of its Enterprise platform, with a limited number of free pilot opportunities also available.
To find out more or arrange a demonstration, email info@femalesafetyapp.com or visit www.femalesafetyapp.com.
