Zero tolerance on abuse
As of 26 October 2024, the UK government has introduced key changes to sexual harassment legislation.
Lowther Homes, under the new duty must take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of their workers. This new preventative duty is contained in the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023. The preventative duty under this new legislation relates only to sexual harassment not other “protected characteristics” as this included in the Equality Act 2010. It is an addition to the current protection from discrimination, harassment and victimisation contained within that Act.
Our Zero tolerance on abuse, harassment and sexual harassment
All of our customers have the right to be heard, understood and respected. Our staff also have these same rights.
As an organisation, we have a zero-tolerance approach for abuse, harassment and sexual harassment towards our staff. The new duty also extends to the need to take steps to prevent sexual harassment by third parties. Third parties may include clients, customers, service users, contractors and visitors to our workplaces.
We ask our staff to be polite, helpful and sensitive to your needs and circumstances.
We do not tolerate physical, verbal or written abuse, harassment or sexual harassment of our staff. Please treat them with respect.
Aggressive, violent, abusive and harassing behaviour of any nature will not be tolerated and may result in your services being restricted. In extreme cases, we may contact Police Scotland.
Unacceptable behaviour includes:
- using bad language or swearing at our staff;
- any physical violence towards any member of staff, such as pushing or shoving;
- verbal abuse towards our staff in any form, including verbally insulting our staff;
- racial abuse and sexual harassment;
- abusing staff on our social media channels;
- and verbally abusing our staff on telephone calls.
We have an Unacceptable Actions Policy