New UK harassment laws are a "game-changer" for nightlife, say NTIA

The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has called new UK harassment laws a “game-changer for the night-time economy" but that “laws alone are not enough.”

The legislation came into place last week (October 26) as an amendment to the Worker Protection Act (Amendment to the Equality Act 2010), with the aim of reducing workplace harassment in the hospitality, entertainment, and leisure industries.

The new laws put more responsibility on the employer to prevent sexual harassment by introducing certain obligations such as staff training, clearer reporting mechanisms, and more robust disciplinary actions.

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It also gives employment tribunals the power to uplift sexual harassment compensation by up to 25% when an employer is found to have breached their duty to prevent sexual harassment.

In a press release, NTIA has said that the “regulations mark a critical step towards improving protections for employees across the UK's night-time economy” noting that for businesses where "public interaction and alcohol consumption are frequent", the need to monitor workplace harassment is greater.

However, it says that “while these legal changes are welcome”, “real change will only come if the industry fully embraces the cultural shift necessary to complement the legislation”.

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According to the industry body, “the attitudes, behaviours, and working culture in many night-time industries” are still lagging behind.

And, although the new amendment puts stronger protections in place, “laws alone are not enough” and employers must “foster a culture that truly values safety and respect for all employees” in order to ensure “these regulations translate into meaningful change for workers”.

NTIA warns that without a genuine change in workplace culture, the new amendment will not make any tangible change, and will just become “another policy on paper”.

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Silvana Kill, the Chief Operating Officer of NTIA, said: "While we applaud the new legal protections against sexual harassment, the reality is that the culture in many workplaces still has some catching up to do."

"Our sector thrives on the energy and diversity of its workforce, and their safety must be paramount. Real progress will depend on full commitment to fostering positive change across every level of the industry, from owners to managers and front-line staff."

NTIA further urges the government to recognise that financial and logistical support will be necessary for smaller businesses to meet the new legal requirements, offering their own services in the coming months to provide guidance and resources where necessary, with a focus on making real industry change, rather than just “ticking the boxes”.

Read this next: One-third of women in music have experienced sexual harassment, report finds

In March this year, a report published by Help Musicians and the Musicians' Union, found that a third of women in music have experienced sexual harassment.

NTIA recently announced that next year’s The Night Time Economy Summit will be held in Birmingham from February 5-6, with topics including queer spaces, sustainability, placemaking, well-being, security, electronic and live music, drug testing, women's safety, access to funding, grassroots music, events and festivals, cost of living crisis, and more.

Meena Sears is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Instagram