Third-party harassment and transport work
Drivers and transport workers can encounter difficult behaviour at customer premises, gates, loading areas and on the road. This page explains the 30 October 2026 change in plain English and points to routes for support.
Important: DriverWell is not an emergency service, legal adviser, reporting channel or investigator. Please do not enter an account of an incident, names or evidence on this page. If there is immediate danger, call 999.
What is changing
From 30 October 2026
The government says the Employment Rights Act 2025 measures taking effect on 30 October 2026 strengthen the steps employers are expected to take to prevent sexual harassment and introduce an obligation relating to third-party harassment of employees.
Third parties can include people who do not work for the transport operator, such as customers, visitors, contractors, site staff or other members of the public. What is reasonable will depend on the organisation, sector and work being undertaken.
The change applies in England, Wales and Scotland. The official government guidance says it does not apply in Northern Ireland.
For workers and colleagues
Where this can show up in transport work
This is not about asking a worker to have handled something differently. It recognises that people can meet difficult or unwanted behaviour while doing their job away from a conventional office.
A customer, visitor or member of the public at a delivery point
Gate security, site marshals or goods-in staff
Agency staff, contractors or another driver
Someone at an RDC, warehouse, service area or customer premises
If something has happened
There is no single right order of steps. Choose support that feels safe and appropriate for your situation.
- 1If there is immediate danger or a crime in progress, call 999. For non-emergency police contact, use 101.
- 2Move to a safer place or ask for support if you need it. You do not have to deal with abuse alone.
- 3Use a route that feels right for you, such as your employer's process, a union representative, ACAS or the police.
- 4If you choose to make notes for yourself, keep them somewhere you control. DriverWell does not receive or store your notes or an incident account through this page.
Support routes
Independent information and help
These organisations offer information or support outside DriverWell. Check their websites for current availability and terms.
For operators
Prepare with practical, proportionate steps
The official guidance highlights risk assessment, policies, training, supplier and customer arrangements, worker communication and review. The appropriate approach will vary by organisation and work.
- Consider where third-party harassment could happen across routes, depots, customer premises, RDCs, gates and loading areas.
- Work with workers and representatives when considering risks and practical controls.
- Set clear expectations with customers, sites, contractors and suppliers, including what happens if conduct falls short.
- Make sure workers know how to find the organisation's support and reporting routes, including where a concern involves a customer site.
- Keep any records your organisation decides it needs in its own approved process. DriverWell does not receive reports or evidence through this page.
- Review arrangements after changes, incidents, route patterns or feedback, with appropriate employment and legal advice.
DriverWell does not deliver legal compliance, discharge a duty, provide a legal defence or receive conduct reports through this information page. Operators should obtain appropriate employment and legal advice for their circumstances.
Sources checked 27 October 2026: Business.gov.uk, ACAS and GOV.UK. Legal information can change. Review official guidance and seek appropriate advice for specific circumstances.