Search

How can we help?

Icon

Monica Atwal comments on the harassment backlash against women in the workplace

Sheryl Sandberg recently took to Facebook to speak out about harassment towards women in the workplace. Monica Atwal has commented on the recent article posted on Management Today.

Sandberg wrote in a lengthy and revealing post in which she spoke of her own experience of unwanted advances in the workplace. ‘It’s the power. I didn’t work for any of these men. But in every single one of these situations, they had more power than I did,’ Sandberg said. ‘That’s not a coincidence. It’s why they felt free to cross that line.’

In the article Monica Atwal, Managing Partner and Employment Law specialist at Clarkslegal states “The answer lies in employers having clear code of conducts and policies and systematic and comprehensive training throughout the organisation. The training needs to ensure employees have insight, to recognise they make value judgements as well as covering what is appropriate behaviour, how discrimination manifests itself within an organisation and the steps that need to be taken to avoid discrimination. Sanctions need to be measured. Power need to be checked. Management responsibility is not only to set standards but to ensure that the ways of work are constantly challenged and reviewed to prevent indirectly discriminatory practices but also so employers can attract the very best talent.”

Read the full article: Management Today

The answer lies in employers having clear code of conducts and policies and systematic and comprehensive training throughout the organisation.

Disclaimer
This information is for guidance purposes only and should not be regarded as a substitute for taking legal advice. Please refer to the full General Notices on our website.

Author profile

Monica Atwal

Managing Partner

View profile

+44 118 960 4605

About this article

Read, listen and watch our latest insights

art
  • 06 May 2026
  • Corporate and M&A

Community Interest Companies – What do you need to know?

This article seeks to provide an overview of the CIC structure’s key characteristics, the types of enterprises it suits, and some practical tips on the application process.

art
  • 06 May 2026
  • Privacy and Data Protection

Use of Personal Devices at Work: Why a Bring Your Own Device Policy is Essential

If you have employees who bring their own devices into the workplace and use said devices to deal with company data, you may want to consider a Bring Your Own Device (“BYOD”) policy.

art
  • 29 April 2026
  • Privacy and Data Protection

UK Data Protection – what’s new?

Having come into force on 19 June 2025, it comes as no surprise that we are now seeing the effects of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (‘DUAA’). This article highlights a few of DUAA’s fundamental reforms, delves into one in particular, and examines how this will impact the recruitment sphere.

art
  • 29 April 2026
  • Employment

Employment Rights Act: Changing key contract terms will be harder from January 2027

The Employment Rights Act 2025 (“ERA 2025”) introduces a new regime that restricts how employers can change certain core contractual terms, with the key provisions now expected to commence on 1 January 2027.

art
  • 28 April 2026
  • Immigration

Proposed expansion of right to work checks from 1 October 2026: what employers need to know

The Home Office has published a consultation on a draft Code of Practice addressing how employers can avoid unlawful discrimination while preventing illegal working. The draft indicates a planned expansion of right to work (RTW) check obligations to take effect from 1 October 2026.

Pub
  • 27 April 2026
  • Corporate and M&A

Quarterly Insights: Key Corporate & Commercial Topics – Q2 2026

Join Stuart Mullins and Emma Docking as they explore key corporate and commercial topics, including SME growth and exit strategies for 2026, EMI schemes for employee incentives, and the importance of drag along and tag along rights.