Reading List

A curated Reading List to support and extend learning from the Sexual Harassment in Pharmacy Practice course.

These resources are for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, dispensers, medicines counter staff, delivery staff, managers, locums and other pharmacy team members. They cover the law, prevention duties, complaints handling, online conduct and professional standards that underpin respectful and safe pharmacy workplaces.

1. Core Law and Prevention Duty

• Legislation.gov.uk - Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023
  The legislation that introduced the employer duty in Great Britain to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment at work. Useful for the legal basis of the prevention duty and tribunal uplift provisions.
  https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/51/pdfs/ukpga_20230051_en.pdf

• EHRC - Employer 8-step guide: Preventing sexual harassment at work
  A practical Equality and Human Rights Commission guide on reasonable preventive steps. It sets out actions around risk, workplace culture, reporting, training and review relevant to pharmacy owners and managers.
  https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/employer-8-step-guide-preventing-sexual-harassment-work

• EHRC - Sexual harassment and harassment at work: technical guidance
  Detailed EHRC guidance on how harassment law operates in practice. Covers definitions, employer duties, third-party harassment, investigations and factors tribunals may consider when assessing conduct and preventive action.
  https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/sites/default/files/sexual_harassment_and_harassment_at_work.pdf

2. Practical Guidance on Prevention and Complaints

• Acas - What sexual harassment is
  A clear explanation of sexual harassment at work, including examples and the focus on effect rather than intention. Relevant to all pharmacy team members.
  https://www.acas.org.uk/sexual-harassment

• Acas - Preventing sexual harassment
  Employer-focused guidance on steps to prevent harassment. Covers risk assessment, manager preparation, reporting routes and third-party behaviour such as customers.
  https://www.acas.org.uk/sexual-harassment/steps-for-employers-to-prevent-sexual-harassment

• Acas - Handling a sexual harassment complaint
  Practical advice on managing complaints, including what managers should avoid saying, why complaints should not be minimised and the need to keep an open mind during investigations.
  https://www.acas.org.uk/sexual-harassment/handling-a-sexual-harassment-complaint

3. Pharmacy Professional Standards and Online Conduct

• GPhC - Standards for pharmacy professionals
  The core professional standards for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in Great Britain, including behaving professionally, respecting dignity and privacy, communicating effectively and speaking up about concerns.
  https://assets.pharmacyregulation.org/files/standards_for_pharmacy_professionals_may_2017_0.pdf

• GPhC - Demonstrating professionalism online
  Short guidance on social media and online conduct. It states that pharmacy professionals have the same responsibilities online as in person, including maintaining boundaries and treating others with respect.
  https://assets.pharmacyregulation.org/files/2024-11/Demonstrating-professionalism-online-January-2024.pdf

4. Northern Ireland Guidance and Standards

• Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI) - The Code, Standards and Guidance
  Main professional standards and guidance for pharmacists in Northern Ireland. The regulatory framework differs from Great Britain, but expectations about respect and professional conduct remain similar.
  https://psni.org.uk/the-code-standards-and-guidance/

• Equality Commission NI - Grievance, harassment and bullying procedure
  A Northern Ireland model procedure for handling workplace grievances, including harassment and bullying. Useful for pharmacy owners and managers needing NI-specific procedural guidance.
  https://equalityni.org/workplace/workplace-guidance/guidance-library/grievance-harassment-and-bullying-procedure

Use these readings to build practical knowledge of sexual harassment law, reasonable steps employers should take, complaint handling, professional standards and appropriate online behaviour in pharmacy settings.