Reading List

The sources below provide further detail and practical guidance relevant to sexual harassment in optical practice. Some documents are aimed at employers or regulators; apply their advice according to your role and local procedures.

• GOC Standard 15 - Maintain appropriate boundaries with others
  Use this to check the professional standard on boundaries with patients, students, colleagues and others.
  https://optical.org/standards-and-guidance/standards/standards-of-practice-for-optometrists-and-dispens/15-maintain-appropriate-boundaries-with-others.html
• GOC - Maintaining appropriate sexual boundaries
  Guidance for registrants on sexual boundaries, power imbalance, online conduct and professional relationships.
  https://optical.org/standards-and-guidance/guidance/maintaining-appropriate-sexual-boundaries.html
• GOC - Speaking up
  Guidance on raising concerns that may affect professional standards, patient safety or require reporting outside the immediate manager.
  https://optical.org/standards-and-guidance/guidance/speaking-up.html
• GOC - Standards for Optical Businesses
  Sets business expectations for safe care, governance, staff support and supervision in registered optical businesses.
  https://optical.org/standards-and-guidance/standards/standards-for-optical-businesses.html
• EHRC - Sexual harassment and harassment at work: technical guidance
  Great Britain guidance on harassment, victimisation, employer liability, reasonable steps and third-party risk.
  https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/sexual_harassment_and_harassment_at_work.pdf
• EHRC - Preventing sexual harassment at work: guide for employers
  Practical guidance for employers on prevention planning, training, reporting routes and responding to concerns.
  https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/2021/preventing-sexual-harassment-at-work-guide-for-employers_0.pdf
• GOV.UK - Your whistleblowing protections
  Explains changes to whistleblowing protections from 6 April 2026 in Great Britain and notes the rules do not apply in Northern Ireland.
  https://www.business.gov.uk/campaign/employment-changes/employee/whistleblowing-protections/
• Acas - Sexual harassment
  Staff-facing overview of what constitutes sexual harassment, including banter, online behaviour, AI images and third-party conduct.
  https://www.acas.org.uk/sexual-harassment
• Acas - Handling a sexual harassment complaint
  Guidance for managers and staff on handling complaints fairly, maintaining confidentiality and avoiding victimisation.
  https://www.acas.org.uk/sexual-harassment/handling-a-sexual-harassment-complaint
• Acas - Steps for employers to prevent sexual harassment
  Summarises risk assessment, policies, reporting routes, manager training and actions to prevent recurrence.
  https://www.acas.org.uk/sexual-harassment/steps-for-employers-to-prevent-sexual-harassment
• GOV.UK - Whistleblowing guidance for employers
  Employer guidance on protected disclosures, detriment, dismissal and proper channels in Great Britain.
  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/whistleblowing-guidance-for-employers
• GOV.UK - Whistleblowing for prescribed persons
  Explains the role of prescribed persons when a worker raises a qualifying disclosure outside their employer.
  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/whistleblowing-for-prescribed-persons
• Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023
  Legislation establishing the Great Britain duty for employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment.
  https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/51/contents
• Equality Commission NI - Harassment and bullying at work
  Northern Ireland guidance on prevention, workplace culture, policy, procedures and responding to harassment or bullying.
  https://equalityni.org/workplace/workplace-guidance/guidance-library/harassment-and-bullying-at-work-promoting-an-inclusive-workplace
• Equality Commission NI - Grievance, harassment and bullying procedure
  Northern Ireland model procedure for handling grievances, harassment and bullying concerns fairly.
  https://equalityni.org/workplace/workplace-guidance/guidance-library/grievance-harassment-and-bullying-procedure