Readers should be aware that on 6th April 2008 changes were made to the law on Sex Discrimination which impact on the definition of harassment in relation to gender or maternity. The definition change only relates to this jurisdiction and not the others, that is, race, religion, age, disability and sexual orientation. The definition is much wider than the existing one which is causative and where the conduct is “on the grounds of” sex, in that it eliminates the causative element and widens it to where the conduct “is related to” sex. This means that indirect victims, that is those not personally subjected to the unwanted conduct, are afforded the protection of the law. In addition the law now also requires employers to take reasonably practicable measures to protect employees from harassment by third parties where such harassment is known to have occurred on at least two other occasions.
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