Guide

Worker Protection Act 2023 and reporting channels

Practical context for UK employers considering a speak-up channel. Not legal advice.

Informational summary. Verify against current EHRC guidance and take legal advice. Last updated 2 November 2026.

The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 introduced a duty on employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of workers. A reporting channel can be one reasonable step among others (policy, training, risk assessment, prompt action). Having Vox, or any tool, does not by itself prove compliance. This page is not legal advice.

What changed?

The Act received Royal Assent on 26 October 2023 and the preventative duty (Equality Act 2010 s.40A) came into force on 26 October 2024. Employers must take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the course of employment. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) can enforce independently of an individual claim, and tribunals may uplift compensation by up to 25% where the duty was not met.

How might a reporting channel help?

  • Gives workers a route that is not only their line manager.
  • Supports prompt acknowledgement and documented handling.
  • Creates an audit record of staff actions on cases.

What a channel does not do

It does not replace an anti-harassment policy, training, risk assessment, or thorough investigation. It does not certify that “reasonable steps” were taken for your organisation’s size and risks.

Authoritative sources

Whistleblowing is a related but separate topic

Protected disclosures under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998 (PIDA) have their own tests. For confidential advice, Protect (protect-advice.org.uk) and ACAS are starting points. See also anonymous vs confidential reporting.

Vox provides a reporting channel. Subscribing does not make an employer compliant with the Worker Protection Act 2023 or any other duty. Take independent legal advice.

If you need a UK channel for 50–499 people, see pricing and security documents.

See pricing Security hub