With Christmas office parties just around the corner, HR experts are reminding employers to remain mindful of their duty of care to staff — not only during the festive season, but throughout the entire year.
The team at The HR Dept Swindon, North Wiltshire and East Cotswolds emphasise that while Christmas celebrations often bring these issues to light, employee care and workplace safety must be an ongoing commitment.
Evolving Employment Law and Employer Responsibilities
“Employer responsibilities have evolved significantly — and more changes are coming,” said Helen Imbusi, Head of HR at The HR Dept.
“This time last year, the Worker Protection Act came into force, placing greater responsibility on employers to take proactive steps to prevent sexual harassment,” she explained.
Helen highlighted several upcoming legal changes that employers should prepare for:
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April 2026: New protections from detriment and unfair dismissal for whistleblowers who make sexual harassment disclosures.
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October 2026: A new duty for employers to prevent harassment by third parties such as customers or clients. The requirement will also be strengthened from taking “reasonable steps” to “all reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment.
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Future legislation: Expected changes to non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) will render void any clauses preventing workers from alleging or disclosing work-related harassment or discrimination.
Practical Steps for Employers
Helen advised all employers to carry out robust risk assessments, particularly ahead of social gatherings, off-site activities, or when managing lone or home workers.
“Identify potential risks, ensure your conduct policies are up to date, and remind staff of these policies before any events,” said Helen.
“At The HR Dept, we’ve developed a simple risk assessment framework to help our clients mitigate risks — whether that means providing extra management training or updating workplace policies.”
Supporting Local Businesses
The HR Dept supports clients across a range of sectors including hospitality, manufacturing, IT, tech, and trades. The Swindon-based team works with businesses in Chippenham, Hungerford, Marlborough, Calne, Devizes, Burford, Lechlade, and Carterton.
For advice about employer responsibilities, support with risk assessments, or information about The HR Dept Swindon, visit www.hrdept.co.uk/swindon-north-wiltshire-east-cotswolds, email helen.imbusi@hrdept.co.uk, or call 01793 683 398.
