Employers have been urged to "take steps now" to ensure they comply with new rules around sexual harassment in the workplace.

Experts at Swindon-based HR Dept say the Worker Protection Act, which comes into force in October, places the onus on employers to take steps to prevent sexual harassment.

Employers will need to comply with their new duty to ensure they are taking "reasonable steps" to prevent sexual harassment of their employees.

Helen Imbusi, HR consultant at the HR Dept Swindon, North Wiltshire, and East Cotswolds, said: "While most employers have policies in place regarding harassment, this will no longer be sufficient to meet the new obligations."

The HR Dept recommends reviewing current policies and procedures to ensure they are easy to follow, providing training so managers understand how to identify and deal with sexual harassment, and ensuring employees understand what constitutes sexual harassment.

Ms Imbusi added: "We would also recommend the culture of a business is looked at, to identify any areas that could be improved.

“Clearly, it is important to put measures in place to prevent sexual harassment taking place.

"Where it does, and a successful claim is made, then this could be very costly to the employer.”