Question 1
If a person is joking about sex and does not have the intention to harm or cause distress, this is not sexual harassment. True or false?
False
Even if it’s meant as a joke, it can still be harassment if it makes someone uncomfortable. What matters is how it’s received, not just what was intended.
Question 2
If a person does not object to inappropriate behaviour at the time it occurred and/or delays reporting it, this suggests the behaviour was not unwelcome. True or false?
False
People often laugh to stay safe. Don’t confuse nervous compliance with genuine consent. Unwelcome behaviour, even if disguised as “banter,” can still be harassment.
Question 3
If an employer has not taken reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace, they could be ordered by the employer tribunal to pay more compensation to the harassed employee. True or false?
False
Delays in speaking up don’t mean the behaviour was welcome. Many people need time to process what happened or fear the consequences of reporting.
The impact of the behaviour is what is important not how quickly someone responds. Fear, uncertainty, or power dynamics often delay disclosures.
Question 4
If an employer hasn’t taken reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment, they could be ordered to pay more compensation. True or false?
True
A tribunal can increase compensation by up to 25% if an employer hasn’t met their duty to prevent harassment. It reflects the expectation that employers act before harm happens — not just after.
Question 5
If a person has accepted the sexual attention of someone in the past, they cannot complain about being sexual harassed by that same person in the future. True or false?
False
Consent isn’t permanent. Past acceptance doesn’t excuse future unwanted behaviour.
Question 6
A manager’s threats to retaliate against a subordinate if he or she refuses sexual advances may constitute sexual harassment even if threats are never carried out. True or false?
True
Threats alone can create a hostile environment and qualify as harassment.
Question 7
An employer can comply with the preventative duty without carrying out a risk assessment. True or false?
False
Risk assessments are key to identifying and addressing potential issues — skipping them undermines prevention.
Question 8
Sexual harassment training is only needed in reactive situations, after a complaint has been made. True or false?
False
Training is a proactive tool — the goal is to prevent harassment before it happens, not just respond once it does.
Question 9
A person experiencing sexual harassment might underperform at work, and this should be addressed as a performance issue. True or false?
False
Performance issues linked to harassment are often symptoms, not root problems. Without addressing the cause, focusing only on performance can worsen the harm.
Question 10
If an employee raises a grievance, any disciplinary process involving them must be paused until the grievance is fully resolved. True or false?
False
Raising a grievance doesn’t automatically pause a disciplinary process. However, if the grievance is connected to the disciplinary, the employer should consider whether to pause or adjust the process to ensure fairness.