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NAHT Northern Ireland

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NAHT Northern Ireland represents principals and vice-principals in around two-thirds of 1,150 schools in Northern Ireland. NAHT Northern Ireland provide advice, training and support for its members on a range of issues faced by senior leaders in schools. Along with our colleagues in England and Wales, we are there to defend and extend the rights of school leaders.  

NAHT NI is democratic and member-led, and supported by its Belfast-based team of staff alongside their colleagues based in both Wales and England.

NAHT Northern Ireland
Carnmoney House
Edgewater Office Park

Belfast
BT3 9JQ

nahtni@naht.org.uk
02890 776633 

Government response to consultation on sexual harassment in the workplace

​The government has finally published its response to the consultation on sexual harassment in the workplace, after the Women and Equalities Select Committee ("WESC") launched an inquiry into workplace sexual harassment in 2018.

In their response, the government have announced the intention to introduce mandatory duty on employers to protect their staff from sexual harassment at work. It is anticipated that this will require employers to take 'all reasonable steps' to prevent harassment.

The government have also confirmed their intention to task the Equality and Human Rights Commission in developing a statutory code of practice. This will set out the steps that employers should take to prevent and respond to sexual harassment, and what can be considered in evidence when determining whether the duty has been breached.

To compliment this new code of practice, the government will produce accessible guidance for employers.

The government are continuing to consider extending employment tribunal time limits for those bringing sexual harassment cases from three to six months. This will apply to schools when the legislation is finalised and brought into effect. NAHT will provide members with further details as this progresses.

In the meantime, members may wish to take a look at the current technical guidance from the EHRC. This offers a legal explanation and practical examples of how to tackle and respond effectively to harassment, including:

  • definition and examples of harassment and victimisation
  • the effect of harassment in the workplace
  • responsibilities as an employer
  • how to prevent and respond to harassment.
First published 12 August 2021

NAHT Northern Ireland Events 2023

NAHT(NI) AGM and industrial action meeting

Our 2023 AGM and industrial action meeting takes place on Thursday 5 October 2023 – find out more

 

 

 

 

Recent consultations and other documents

NITC joint letter to management side

The five teacher unions in Northern Ireland, including NAHT(NI), wrote to the employers seeking additional payment to school leaders and teaching staff who worked significant additional hours during summer 2021 in order to ensure this work was recognised.

 

Consultation on deferring school starting age: NAHT(NI) draft response

We are concerned at the advancement of this proposal as the evidential basis for this consultation is highly limited. We contend that the current proposal should be retracted. The proposal fails to reflect the experience of pupils, school leaders, parents and the whole school community. Given the significance of this potential policy change, it is essential that the perspectives of all stakeholders are considered. We know that members are operating in a business-critical environment and will have limited or no time to engage with consultation exercises, however, we encourage members to consider responding to this important consultation and copy our response to complete your individual response.

 

Previous consultation responses and statements

First published 08 April 2020
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