White Ribbon UK launches June campaign: Right to Respect

Everyone deserves to be respected at work. Together, we can create workplaces where everyone feels like a valued part of the team and feels safe to speak up. 

At White Ribbon UK, we're excited to launch our latest campaign, Right to Respect, taking place throughout June 2025.  

The Worker Protection Act 2023 has introduced a new legal duty for employers; they must now take proactive steps to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace. It’s no longer enough to act after something has gone wrong. Employers must put prevention at the forefront. 

A recent survey revealed that 3 in 5 women have experienced sexual harassment, bullying, or verbal abuse in the workplace (TUC, 2023). That must change. We believe that this should be 0 in 5. Agreed?  

At White Ribbon UK we work with over 450 organisations through our partnerships. Through this campaign we are providing them the opportunity to make real and impactful organisational change, where harm is prevented.  

We’ve encouraged our network of Accredited and Supporter Organisations to get involved, providing them with all the tools and resources they need to implement the values of White Ribbon UK and work towards their organisation being a safe space for all. 

Through our Right to Respect campaign, we are working with employers to ensure they understand their responsibilities and take meaningful action to prevent harm in the workplace. As our CEO Lynne Elliot explains:

“With our 'Right to Respect' campaign, White Ribbon UK is supporting employers across the UK to meet their responsibilities and build workplaces where everyone is respected, safe and valued.  It's not that women don't feel safe at work - they are not safe.  58% of women in a TUC poll in 2023 had experienced sexual harassment, bullying or verbal abuse at work.  And almost the same number (57%) had experienced three or more incidents of bullying at work.  This means these are not isolated incidents, and it is not occasional.  The 2023 Worker Protection Act came into force last October, so employers now have a legal duty to take steps to prevent bullying, harassment and sexual harassment in the workplace - and to keep people safe.  We are here to help, and we are determined to make sure employers know their responsibilities and employees know their rights.”

Throughout June, we’ll be sharing highlights from organisations who are getting involved on our social media channels, so keep an eye out!  

We’ve also got expert speakers from the Trades Union Congress, Goodwin Associates LLC, Baringa and Newcastle City Council delivering talks to White Ribbon Accredited and Supporter Organisations to have important discussions about what best practice looks like and how to engage workforces to support new policies.  

Commenting on the campaign, Goodwin Associates LLC said: “The new duty on employers under the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023 is an important step towards combatting harassment in the workplace – this is not just a matter of compliance, it is a commitment for employers to create safer and more inclusive workplaces.”

Do you want to receive the benefits of partnering with White Ribbon UK for your workplace? Become a Supporter or Accredited Organisation. To find out more, visit our webpage by clicking here.