Hogan Lovells has introduced a mandatory anti-bullying and harassment training scheme for all its U.K. staff, as the firm ramps up efforts to combat conduct issues. 

The training consists of an interactive online course that includes a mix of audio, video and questions to answer. The course takes about 20 minutes to complete.

Hogan Lovells U.K. and Africa managing partner Susan Bright said in a statement: “Doing nothing is never an option – we all have a responsibility to put a stop to inappropriate behaviour in the workplace by continuing to talk openly, by challenging it and by ensuring we have the right support mechanisms in place for our people.”

The new training is part of the firm's wider initiative to reinforce its commitment to its anti-bullying and harassment policy. Last year, it refreshed and relaunched its 'Dignity at Work' policy relaunched last year, and appointed 16 staff members in the U.K. as 'Respect Advocates'.

The group received in-depth anti-bullying and harassment training, to enable them to act as a point of contact for anyone in the business to speak to confidentially about any inappropriate behaviour experienced or witnessed.

A recent survey of legal professionals by the International Bar Association showed that only 22% of respondents' workplaces provided anti-bullying and harassment training.

The survey, which had nearly 7,000 respondents, revealed that half of female respondents and a third of male respondents were affected by workplace bullying; while one in three female respondents, as opposed to one in 14 of their male counterparts, were affected by sexual harassment at work.