Retailers are being encouraged to strengthen workplace safety measures after Essex Police renewed its push to tackle harassment and inappropriate behaviour in stores.
PC Glen Foote of Essex Police’s business crime team visited Lakeside Shopping Centre in West Thurrock on 11 November to sign up additional retailers to the Just Here To Work campaign – an initiative aimed at helping employers meet their legal duty to protect staff from sexual harassment under the Worker Protection Act 2023.
The legislation, which came into force in October 2024, requires UK businesses to take proactive steps to prevent sexual harassment, including assessing risks, updating policies and delivering staff training. For customer-facing sectors such as retail, where interactions with the public are constant, police say the obligation has become even more important.
PC Foote met with staff at eight retailers during his Lakeside visit and offered conflict-management training to another seven. He said stores were “very supportive” of the campaign, highlighting that staff safety remains a top priority for most businesses.
“We want to make it clear that bad behaviour at work is never okay,” he said. “Just Here To Work focuses on stalking and harassment. It supports victims and businesses and reminds staff what behaviour is unacceptable.”
The campaign explains the laws around harassment and stalking, outlines how incidents can be reported, and signposts support for affected employees. Essex Police is also working with local Business Improvement Districts, the Essex Chambers of Commerce and other partners to spread the message.
As part of the initiative, retailers are being encouraged to display posters containing QR codes linking staff to guidance on recognising and reporting harassment. Foote said the materials were designed to open up conversations and make it easier for staff to seek help.
“We hope our posters will get people talking and remind everyone that flirting or unwanted attention at work isn’t just wrong – it can be very upsetting and is against the law,” he added. “Even if someone doesn’t feel ready to report it, they can still find help and information using the QR codes on our poster.”
Businesses seeking guidance or wishing to arrange a visit from a business crime officer can contact Essex Police’s business crime team through its dedicated web pages.