Whistleblowing protections

Workers who raise issues of sexual harassment are already protected against detrimental treatment under the Equality Act, but from 6 April 2026 the ERA will strengthen protections further by adding allegations of sexual harassment to the list of whistleblowing disclosure topics (known as ‘protected disclosures’).  

The protection will cover not just disclosures that sexual harassment has happened or is happening but also disclosures that it is likely to occur.  

This means that workers who raise concerns about sexual harassment are likely to have whistleblowing protection as well as protection under the Equality Act. Employers must not dismiss or treat them badly because they have raised these concerns. 

What do I need to do? 

Employees already have protection against being treated badly because they have raised allegations of sexual harassment (or indeed any harassment) but check that your managers are up to date with their training on this and that they know that any reported incidents or concerns must be investigated thoroughly, promptly and addressed appropriately.