Sexual harassment at work: Understand your rights and take action
Being sexually harassed at work can leave you feeling anxious, powerless, and isolated. Whether it is unwanted touching, sexual comments, or messages that make you uncomfortable, you should not have to put up with it, and the law is on your side.
Valla helps you take action confidently, even if you have never dealt with legal processes before. We give you the tools to raise a grievance, document your experiences, and start a legal claim if needed, all at a fraction of the cost of a solicitor.
Take action against sexual harassment at work
- Free account to access document templates and legal tools
- Legal case review (Merits Assessment) for £149
- ET1 Tribunal support from £96
- Grievance letter and case-building templates included with paid accounts
Ask a UK legal expert about sexual harassment
Find out where you stand with the sexual harassment issues you're dealing with at work. Talk to a UK legal expert to understand if your issue has potential legal claims, so you can make a plan to resolve it.
What is Sexual Harassment and Why It Matters
What is sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment at work is any unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature that makes you feel humiliated, offended, or intimidated. It is a form of unlawful discrimination under the Equality Act 2010.
This can include:
- Sexual comments or jokes
- Inappropriate touching or physical contact
- Unwanted messages or emails with sexual content
- Repeated sexual advances after you have said no
- Leering, suggestive looks, or gestures
- Displaying sexual images or content in the workplace
Why it matters
Sexual harassment can impact your mental health, career progression, and financial stability. But you do not have to accept it. Valla helps you understand your legal rights and gives you practical, affordable tools to take action, whether you are raising a grievance or building a case for Tribunal.
Take action against sexual harassment in 5 Steps
You do not need a lawyer to start challenging sexual harassment at work. Valla helps you take practical steps with legal tools designed for people representing themselves.
Step 1: Record what is missing
Use Valla’s timeline tool to log each incident — include dates, times, locations, people involved, and what was said or done.
Step 2: Gather evidence
Save emails, texts, internal messages, or notes. You can also document witness names or keep a log of who you reported it to.
Step 3: Raise a grievance
Use our sexual harassment grievance letter template to formally report what happened and ask your employer to investigate.
Step 4: Try ACAS Early Conciliation
If your employer does not resolve the issue, begin ACAS Early Conciliation or look to settle — a required step before you can make a legal claim.
Step 5: Submit a Tribunal claim
Use Valla’s ET1 claim form tools and coaching support to file your claim. We help you write the Particulars of Claim and understand what remedies you can ask for.
Valla gives you a clear way to take action. We help you document what has happened, raise a formal grievance, and if needed, start a Tribunal claim to get your money back.
Why use Valla for sexual harassment claims
Sexual harassment cases can feel personal, confusing, and intimidating. Valla helps you take control without the high cost of a solicitor.
What you get with Valla:
What people say about Valla
“I was too scared to speak up until I found Valla. Their templates and guidance helped me raise a formal complaint and get taken seriously.”
- Layla, Birmingham
Frequently Asked Questions about sexual harassment
What is sexual harassment at work?
It is any unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature that makes you feel offended, humiliated or unsafe. This includes comments, messages, physical contact, and more.
Do I have to prove intent?
No. The behaviour is unlawful if it made you feel uncomfortable or created a hostile environment, even if the person did not mean to upset you.
What if I did not report it straight away?
You can still take action. The law does not require immediate reporting, though it helps to keep records of what happened and when.
Can I raise a grievance about sexual harassment?
Yes. A grievance is a formal complaint that asks your employer to investigate and address the issue.
What should I include in my grievance letter?
Clearly describe what happened, when and where, who was involved, and how it made you feel. Valla has a template to help with this.
What if my employer does not take it seriously?
You can escalate the issue by contacting ACAS and starting Early Conciliation. If that fails, you can bring a Tribunal claim.
How long do I have to make a claim?
You usually have three months less one day from the last incident to begin ACAS Early Conciliation.
What can I claim compensation for?
You can claim for injury to feelings, lost income, and other financial losses related to the harassment.
Do I need legal representation?
No. Valla gives you the tools and support to handle your own case, with expert legal coaching available if needed.
Will my employer know I am using Valla?
No. Everything you do in Valla is private unless you choose to share it. You control when and how to submit anything.
Stand up to sexual harassment with Valla
Sexual harassment at work is never acceptable. If you have been mistreated, sidelined, or made to feel unsafe, you do not have to go through it alone.
Valla gives you affordable, step-by-step tools to document what happened, raise a formal complaint, and take legal action if needed — without relying on a solicitor.