This week, a new law will strengthen protections for workers against sexual harassment. The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Bill now requires employers to take “reasonable steps” to prevent harassment, reinforcing the responsibility of organisations to create safe work environments.
As a significant issue in society, we wanted to share how we’re doing our part to address sexual harassment.
At Shepherds Friendly, we view this Bill as an important step on the path towards ensuring every workplace is free from inappropriate behaviour. It’s also an opportunity for us to raise the bar and show how mutuals can lead the way in fostering respectful and inclusive work environments.
Our values guide everything we do, and ‘doing the right thing’ sits at the heart of our approach. Over the years, we’ve demonstrated our commitment to supporting our people by joining the Women in Finance Charter, earning ‘We Invest in People’ Platinum accreditation from Investors in People, and becoming one of the first mutuals to be a Living Pension Employer.
Real progress, however, begins with strong internal policies. For us, ‘doing the right thing’ means not only meeting legal requirements, but going further where possible. That’s why we’ve introduced a dedicated ‘Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Work’ policy.
Our commitment to people extends beyond financial products and services. Our members are our priority, and creating an environment where every individual feels valued and protected helps us serve them best. Mutuals, by their nature, are built on trust, collaboration, and care for their people and members, and we believe we should be at the forefront of setting the highest standards for workplace respect.
Our new policy addresses the evolving nature of workplace interactions, acknowledging that harassment can happen not only in person but also through emails, phone calls, messaging, and social media channels. We have ensured that reporting inappropriate behaviour is as straightforward as possible, and offer the ability to seek advice from a designated, independent person.
This policy is not limited to a single location, or communications between our people. We know harassment can occur beyond the walls of an office, so our approach applies to contractors, visitors, and all third-party relationships—not just our employees. We will be communicating these expectations to everyone we work with to ensure a consistent standard of behaviour, and our own people will receive comprehensive training.
This is just one way we are committed to fostering a safe, inclusive workplace that allows our people to best serve our members. At Shepherds Friendly, staying true to our values is the foundation upon which we build our future as a progressive mutual.
