Harassment by third parties · Warehousing and distribution

Other companies' drivers come through your gate all day. None of them answer to you.

Your goods-in team deals with drivers from hauliers you didn't choose, on shifts that run through the night. Some drivers are regulars. Plenty you'll never see again.

What's changing?

From 30 October 2026, the government has announced, you'll be liable when your staff are harassed at work by people you don't employ, unless you took all reasonable steps to prevent it. It isn't limited to sexual harassment: it covers any relevant protected characteristic. Discrimination compensation has no upper limit.

A visiting driver isn't yours to manage. Under the change, what they do to your staff can still be yours to answer for.

Where does it happen?

At the drivers' window. On a quiet night shift with two of your people on. With a driver who won't take no for a slot. In the yard, while a trailer's being tipped and there's nobody else about.

What could you show?

Does your risk assessment mention visiting drivers at all? Do your site rules for drivers say anything about how they treat your staff? Would one of your team know they could report a driver, and what you'd do next, like raising it with the haulier? Have you ever asked them what goes on at goods-in?

What we do

We build your handbook, a harassment risk assessment that covers goods-in and the yard, and an anonymous survey of your staff, and we keep all three current. Printed staff and visitor notices for goods-in are there if you want them. It's all built to show what you did, when you did it and why. Everything's remote. No calls.

It's not legal advice. If there's a complaint already in play, that's one for a solicitor.