LRD guides and handbook February 2018

Tackling sexual harassment at work - a guide for union reps

Chapter 5

Contacting the police

[ch 5: page 41]

Sexual harassment can, at its most serious, be a criminal as well as an employment matter, for example, when a sexual assault takes place.

Such incidents should be reported to the police. Conciliation service Acas advises that if a complaint is reported to the police, or criminal court proceedings are being pursued, an employer must still investigate the complaint as an employment matter. “An employer may then follow its disciplinary procedure, without awaiting the outcome of criminal proceedings, provided this can be done fairly,” the Acas guidance states.