Does the law cover harassment of staff by customers?

Yes. The duty to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of employees already includes harassment by customers and other third parties (Equality Act 2010, s.40A; Acas; EHRC technical guidance).

Is a poster enough on its own?

No single step is. Acas explains that what counts as reasonable depends on the situation, including your size, the work your staff do, the risks and who they deal with, and there is no fixed list for every employer (Acas: steps for employers). A poster is one way to make sure staff know who to tell.

Can staff get in trouble for reporting harassment?

Treating someone badly because they complained of harassment, or helped someone else to, is victimisation, and it is against the law. The only exception is a complaint that is both false and made in bad faith (Equality Act 2010, s.27).

Where can staff get help outside the café?

Acas gives free, impartial advice to employees and employers. The EHRC's guidance on harassment at work also points staff to the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) (EHRC technical guidance).

Free poster · For your team

Free staff harassment poster for cafés

Employers in England and Wales must take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of their employees, and that duty already covers harassment by customers (Equality Act 2010, s.40A; Acas). From 30 October 2026 it becomes "all reasonable steps", and employers can also be liable for harassment of their staff by customers and other third parties, unless they took all reasonable steps to prevent it (Employment Rights Act 2025, s.20 and s.21).

Download the PDF Read the poster

A4 PDF, 1 page, 165 KB. Free to print and display. Last reviewed: 11 October 2026.

What the poster says

For the staff room: harassment isn't accepted here, from anyone, including customers; step away and get your manager; you won't get in trouble for speaking up; who to tell here.

Below is the full text of the poster, word for word.

For our team

Harassment

We don't accept it here, from anyone, including customers. If it happens, tell the manager on duty, or another senior member of staff, and we'll deal with it.

With customers

If a customer crosses the line, step away and get your manager. You don't have to keep serving them if you're uncomfortable.

Speaking up

You won't get in trouble for raising something honestly. We'd much rather know, so we can sort it and look after everyone.

Who to tell here:

Free from managero.co.uk

The staff harassment poster: the heading "Harassment" with three short sections, "We don't accept it here", "With customers" and "Speaking up", and a space to write who to tell. — Download managero-staff-harassment-poster-a4.pdf (165 KB)

How to use it

Put it in the staff room or on the back-of-house noticeboard, where the team sees it every shift.
Write in who to tell here: a name, or a role such as "the manager on duty", and a second person if the first is the problem.
Put the customer notice up at the counter as well, so customers hear the same message.

Questions café owners ask

Does the law cover harassment of staff by customers?: Yes. The duty to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of employees already includes harassment by customers and other third parties (Equality Act 2010, s.40A; Acas; EHRC technical guidance).
What changes on 30 October 2026?: Two things. The duty to prevent sexual harassment becomes a duty to take "all reasonable steps" (Employment Rights Act 2025, s.20). And employers can be liable for harassment of their staff by customers and other third parties, unless they took all reasonable steps to prevent it. That covers all harassment under section 26 of the Equality Act, not only sexual harassment (s.21; SI 2026/1065; Acas).
Is a poster enough on its own?: No single step is. Acas explains that what counts as reasonable depends on the situation, including your size, the work your staff do, the risks and who they deal with, and there is no fixed list for every employer (Acas: steps for employers). A poster is one way to make sure staff know who to tell.
Can staff get in trouble for reporting harassment?: Treating someone badly because they complained of harassment, or helped someone else to, is victimisation, and it is against the law. The only exception is a complaint that is both false and made in bad faith (Equality Act 2010, s.27).
Where can staff get help outside the café?: Acas gives free, impartial advice to employees and employers. The EHRC's guidance on harassment at work also points staff to the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) (EHRC technical guidance).

Sources

Every source below was read on 11 October 2026. Where the poster states the law it says so, and where it gives official guidance it says that too.

Equality Act 2010, section 40A (duty to prevent sexual harassment) legislation.gov.uk
Equality Act 2010, section 26 (harassment) legislation.gov.uk
Equality Act 2010, section 27 (victimisation) legislation.gov.uk
Employment Rights Act 2025, section 20 ("all reasonable steps") legislation.gov.uk
Employment Rights Act 2025, section 21 (harassment by third parties) legislation.gov.uk
The Employment Rights Act 2025 (Commencement No. 6 and Transitional and Saving Provisions) Regulations 2026 legislation.gov.uk
Steps for employers to prevent sexual harassment Acas
Harassment law changes Acas
Sexual harassment and harassment at work: technical guidance Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)
Acas: free, impartial advice on workplace rights Acas

Last reviewed: 11 October 2026. For cafés in England and Wales.

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