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GOC Standard 15: Sexual Harassment in Optical Practice (Level 1)

Safeguarding Colleagues and Patients Through Zero-Tolerance Practice (Within S15)

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GOC Standard 15: Sexual Harassment
Understanding Sexual Harassment
Legal & Professional Standards
Impact on Individuals and Practices
Identifying Sexual Harassment
Identifying Behaviour
Prevention & Safe Culture
Navigating Complaints and Processes
Handling Complaints
Post‑Incident Support
Post‑Incident: Team Management
Expressing Personal Interest
Expressing Interest (Scenario 4)
Handling Personal Approaches
Scenario 5: Handling Approaches
Reflection & Continuous Improvement
Exam Pass Notes
Reading List
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Scenario Page 2: Handling Complaints

Clear, compassionate steps protect people and process. The following scenarios show proportionate responses that hold standards and dignity. ^[2]^[3]

Scenario 3 - Staff complaint

Scenario

A junior member of the laboratory team approaches you, clearly unsettled. They explain that a senior colleague has repeatedly made sexual jokes in the lab, and that these comments have left them uncomfortable. They ask for confidentiality and say they fear retaliation if the matter is reported.

How should a manager respond today?

Thank the reporter, acknowledge harm, and confirm you take the concern seriously. ^[2]^[3]
Ensure immediate safety and remove any ongoing contact risk while an initial assessment proceeds. ^[3]^[1]
Set out available options, expected timelines, and how updates will be provided. ^[3]
Make a confidential record of the report and preserve relevant evidence. ^[3]^[1]
Appoint an impartial investigator and preserve evidence for the investigation. ^[3]^[1]
Clearly state that retaliation is not tolerated and put interim protections in place. ^[2]^[3]^[6]
Offer support routes to the reporter (e.g. wellbeing, HR, trade union) and explain confidentiality limits. ^[3]^[2]
Set a review date for interim measures and record who was informed, what controls apply, when updates will occur, and why steps are proportionate. ^[3]^[1]

Scenario 4 - Patient complaint

Scenario

A patient raises an allegation that a clinician touched them inappropriately during a slit-lamp examination. The patient is distressed and seeks clarity about what will happen next.

What investigation steps and safeguards are required?

Prioritise and document the patient's safety and account. ^[4]^[1]
Where risk indicates, remove the clinician from similar duties pending assessment. ^[1]^[3]
Preserve appointment logs, room layouts and identify potential witnesses. ^[1]^[3]
Consider chaperone policy compliance and review relevant training records. ^[4]^[5]
Escalate according to policy, notify insurers, and - if thresholds are met - inform the regulator and the police. ^[7]^[1]
Record decisions with who/what/when/why, and provide support to both parties. ^[3]^[2]

Phrases that help

"I'm sorry this happened; thank you for telling us," acknowledges harm and opens the door to support. "We'll review this promptly and keep you updated," sets expectations and reduces uncertainty. ^[2]^[3]

Accountability checklist

Who/what/when/why: people involved, actions taken, timescales, and rationale. ^[3]^[1]
Evidence: messages, CCTV references, room logs, and training records preserved. ^[3]^[1]
Interim controls: rota changes, pairing, chaperones, and access restrictions with review dates. ^[3]^[5]

Learning and system fixes

Useful reviews look at chaperone availability, room design, and scripts. Training is updated and learning is published without identifiers. Actions close with named owners and dates so improvements do not stall. ^[2]^[1]

References (numbered in text)

How we investigate a concern — General Optical Council Find (opens in a new tab)
Sexual harassment and harassment at work: technical guidance — Equality and Human Rights Commission (2024) Find (opens in a new tab)
Conducting workplace investigations — Acas (June 2019) Find (opens in a new tab)
Intimate examinations and chaperones — General Medical Council Find (opens in a new tab)
GP mythbuster 15: Chaperones — Care Quality Commission (2024) Find (opens in a new tab)
Equality Act 2010 — UK Public General Acts (2010) Find (opens in a new tab)
Sexual misconduct policy — NHS England Find (opens in a new tab)

Key Points

Please take a moment to review these points, reflect on their significance and consider how they apply to your own experiences.

Tick to confirm (optional):

Respond supportively: thank the reporter, ensure immediate safety and offer support options.
Protect confidentiality where possible but explain limits and obligations to report serious risk.
Apply interim controls promptly (rota changes, pairing, removal from duties) while assessing risk.
Preserve evidence: appointment logs, room layouts, CCTV references, messages and training records.
Record actions factually using who/what/when/why and set review dates.
Appoint an impartial investigator and follow fair, documented investigation steps and timelines.
Escalate appropriately: insurers, regulator or police where thresholds for notification are met.
Offer trauma‑informed support to both complainant and respondent and guard against retaliation.
Use clear phrases to acknowledge harm and set expectations (eg, apology and update scripts).
Close the loop with system fixes: chaperone availability, room design, training updates and identified owners and dates.

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Navigating Complaints and Processes Post‑Incident Support

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Course Snapshot

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Length: 60 minutes CPD (1.00 CE Credits)
Appropriate for: Optometrists, dispensing opticians, optical assistants, practice managers, reception staff, locums, students and clinical supervisors.
Course Price: Free
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GOC Standard 15: Sexual Harassment in Optical Practice (Level 1)

Reputation

CPD Certificates

Exam Cup

Scenario Page 2: Handling Complaints

Scenario 3 - Staff complaint

Scenario 4 - Patient complaint

Phrases that help

Accountability checklist

Learning and system fixes

References (numbered in text) Why we include references

Key Points

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