Sexual harassment training online in the UK

Which online sexual harassment certificate do UK employers accept?

Your employer decides the training your workplace needs, based on its own assessment of its risks. The law does not name a specific course. It requires employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment, and from 30 October 2026, all reasonable steps. Training staff is one practical step an employer can take, and a certificate is how that step is recorded. Employers look for:

1. A clear record. The certificate names the course, the hours of learning, the completion date and a recommended refresh date.
2. A way to check it. A unique certificate number and a verification link let HR confirm it quickly.
3. Content that follows current UK law. For sexual harassment, that means sections 26, 40A and 124A of the Equality Act 2010 and the changes made by the Employment Rights Act 2025.
4. Regular refreshing. A recommended refresh date shows the training is kept up to date as the law moves.

Lift College's certificate does each of these. It is a PDF issued the same day you pass. It names Sexual Harassment Training, shows 2 hours of learning, your completion date and a recommended refresh date 12 months later, and carries a unique certificate number and a verification link.

What the Lift College course covers

The course covers what the Equality Act 2010 expects workers and managers to know about sexual harassment: what counts, how to step in safely and how to report it. Managers learn how to respond to a report fairly and quickly. There are 5 short modules, each followed by a knowledge check:

1. What sexual harassment is. Unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that violates dignity or creates a hostile environment, and why intent does not decide whether it is harassment.
2. The employer's preventative duty. The duty that began on 26 October 2024, the move to all reasonable steps from 30 October 2026, and why tribunals can add up to 25% to compensation.
3. Customers, clients and third parties. How the law changes from 30 October 2026 to cover harassment by people outside your organisation, and what prevention looks like in practice.
4. Stepping in and speaking up. Safe ways to intervene as a bystander and how to report. Since 6 April 2026, sexual harassment is a qualifying disclosure under whistleblowing law.
5. Responding as a manager. Taking a report seriously, protecting the person who reported, keeping records and acting without delay.

The final test is multiple choice, 80% to pass, with unlimited free retakes.

The law and guidance it is written around

• Equality Act 2010, section 26. Defines harassment, including "unwanted conduct of a sexual nature" that has the purpose or effect of violating someone's dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.
• Equality Act 2010, section 40A. Since 26 October 2024: "An employer (A) must take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of employees of A in the course of their employment."
• Equality Act 2010, section 124A. If a tribunal finds an employer breached the section 40A duty, it can increase compensation by up to 25%.
• Employment Rights Act 2025. Section 20 changes the duty to all reasonable steps, and section 21 covers harassment by third parties. Acas says: "From 30 October 2026, the law will be changed for sexual harassment," and that "Employers will be liable unless they have taken all reasonable steps to prevent it."

How Lift College compares

Competitor details come from each provider's own course page, checked 11 October 2026. "Check provider" means the page did not state it.

Who it suits

Sexual Harassment Training suits all staff and managers, especially in roles that deal with customers, clients or the public. It is a good fit if:

• you work in hospitality, retail, care or any role facing customers or the public
• you manage a team and need to know what to do when someone reports harassment
• you work in HR and are reviewing your organisation's prevention steps
• your employer is preparing for the 30 October 2026 changes
• you attend client events, travel for work or work late shifts

Sexual harassment or bullying and harassment?

They are two separate Lift College courses. Sexual Harassment Training focuses on sexual harassment and the employer's legal duty to prevent it. Bullying and Harassment Training covers wider workplace behaviour, including bullying, which has no specific law of its own. Read our guide to bullying and harassment training online, and see the equality and diversity training guide for the wider Equality Act 2010. All three sit in Lift College's workplace compliance courses.

What you get for £19.99

• One payment for one learner, no subscription, nothing added at checkout.
• Access for as long as Lift College offers the course, and never less than 3 years from purchase.
• A free refresher when your recommended refresh date arrives. Lift College emails you 30 days before.
• 14-day money back: ask within 14 days of paying for a full refund.
• Age 16 or over. Buying for a team? Ask about team enrolment.

Start Sexual Harassment Training for £19.99, or see all CPD courses.