Following the publication of new rules earlier this year that address workplace bullying, harassment and other forms of misconduct in the financial industry, the U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is issuing new industry guidance too.
Back in July, the FCA adopted new rules on how the industry is expected to deal with various forms of non-financial misconduct, such as harassment or violence at work. Now, in response to industry demand, the regulator is adopting new guidance for firms on tackling these kinds of issues.
The guidance details how firms can act on the standards set by the FCA, provides input on the factors that firms should consider in determining whether employees are deemed fit for their roles and clarifies the regulator’s expectations.
Among other things, the FCA also amended its code of conduct to explain how serious workplace misconduct can amount to a breach of its rules.
“The guidance is designed to help firms make fair, consistent decisions and take decisive action when standards are breached. This change will help promote healthy and inclusive workplace cultures and deepen trust in financial services,” the FCA said.
The new rules and guidance, which take effect Sept. 1, 2026, were originally part of a broader initiative to promote diversity and inclusion in the financial sector. However, the regulator ultimately dropped other aspects of that work and only brought forward the rules on industry conduct.
With the policy development in this area complete, the FCA said it will, “now focus on how firms are tackling it in practice.”