Supporting Better Conduct Through Workplace Training
For insurance brokers, recent changes to FCA non-financial misconduct rules and guidance and upcoming employment law reforms serve as a reminder that policies alone cannot ensure a respectful workplace. People at every level must understand what appropriate behaviour looks like, how to recognise conduct that may cause harm, and what to do when concerns arise.
On 1 September 2026, the FCA’s non-financial misconduct rules and guidance came into effect, extending the scope of the Conduct Rules to cover serious bullying, harassment or violence by Conduct Rules staff in non-bank firms, where there is a sufficient work-related link.
In addition, from 30 October 2026, the Employment Rights Act 2025 will extend employers’ duty to take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of employees. It will also introduce a duty not to permit harassment of employees by third parties, such as customers or clients.
Whilst the two frameworks are separate, with differing obligations and scope, both emphasise the need to act to prevent and appropriately address misconduct. Whereas employment law places the preventative duty on the employer, FCA rules also make individual conduct relevant, from employees to those with people management roles.
These changes create a clear need for effective continuing professional development (CPD). Training should help employees and managers understand what the new requirements mean for their roles and apply that understanding in everyday situations. Role-specific examples, opportunities to check understanding and regular refreshers can help firms translate updated policies into consistent practice.
Learning for different roles
Different roles require different approaches to learning in terms of detail and focus. Whereas senior managers and compliance professionals may need to understand the scope and application of regulatory and legal requirements, new starters require clear, practical guidance on expected standards of behaviour, how inappropriate conduct can affect colleagues and how to raise concerns.
Development Zone has curated a range of content to meet the varying needs of users across different roles and levels of experience, offering both in-depth, structured multi-module pathways, and introductory learning on non-financial misconduct. Multi-module courses such as Non-Financial Misconduct, COCON and the Regulatory Framework: Employees and Managers supports learners in understanding the new rules and guidance, their scope and application, and managerial accountability. For senior managers and compliance professionals, Non-Financial Misconduct: Understanding COCON, FIT, and Individual Accountability provides more in-depth coverage, also exploring how the new rules sit in relation to fitness and propriety, reporting and references. Throughout both courses, scenarios aid learners in applying the principles of the regulatory framework to everyday situations to ensure applicability and understanding.
Providing a more accessible introduction, Non-Financial Misconduct in Insurance Broking gives a high-level overview of the rules whilst focusing on appropriate behaviour in an everyday working context. The live learning session Introduction to Non-Financial Misconduct also provides a useful introduction to what NFM means in practice, the relevance to the financial services sector and the role employees and managers play in maintaining healthy workplace cultures.
In addition, the course Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: A Guide for Managers, covers the employer’s preventative duty and outlines what a proactive approach to preventing sexual harassment may look like in practice. For employees, Sexual Harassment in the Workplace provides a highly accessible, practical introduction to the subject, whilst courses such as Bullying and Harassment in the Workplace and the live Anti-Harassment Training session help learners to recognise and respond to inappropriate conduct through practical, day-to-day examples.
Building understanding across the firm
This range of learning helps firms communicate clear expectations at every level, support managers in responding to concerns and help employees recognise and report problematic behaviour. This can contribute to a wider preventative approach, alongside effective policies, reporting routes, management action and regular review.
Ultimately, for regulatory and legislative changes to deliver healthier, psychologically safe cultures, and for employers to fulfil their duties, everyone must understand the implications for their role and everyday work. Learning which is curated for a range of levels and roles can help to support firms in delivering training which is applicable and delivers true value, understanding, and which contributes to meaningful change.
Relevant DZ courses and sessions:
LIVE sessions
- Introduction to Non-Financial Misconduct
- Anti-Harassment Training
e-learning
- Non-Financial Misconduct in Insurance Broking
- Non-Financial Misconduct, COCON and the Regulatory Framework: Employees and Managers
- Non-Financial Misconduct: Understanding COCON, FIT, and Individual Accountability
- Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
- Preventing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: A Guide for Managers
- Workplace Culture: Awareness and Practical Application
- Bullying and Harassment in the Workplace
Author: Rebecca Matyear
Rebecca is the Content Manager for the Development Zone, writing and reviewing timely, relevant courses that meet the needs of UK general insurance intermediaries.
