Rishi Sunak warned of Tory revolt over ‘draconian’ new harassment rules that will ‘allow shop workers and bar staff to sue their employers if a customer offends them’
- Proposed laws will make businesses liable for their employees being harassed
Rishi Sunak is under pressure to change or ditch ‘draconian’ new laws amid fears they could see shop workers and bar staff suing their employers if a customer offends them.
Proposed legislation, which is currently being considered by the House of Lords, aims to amend existing equality laws to make businesses liable for their employees being harassed by ‘third parties’.
It also seeks to place a legal responsibility on employers to ‘take all reasonable steps’ to prevent harassment of their staff.
The Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Bill was introduced as a Private Member’s Bill from the back benches of the House of Commons and is sponsored by two Liberal Democrats.
The Government has given its ‘strong’ support for the legislation as a means of clamping down on sexual harassment in workplaces.
It has also insisted that measures have been taken to ensure freedom of speech is protected.
But ministers are facing a backlash from Tory critics and business groups over the ‘unforeseen consequences’ of the bill.
Rishi Sunak is under pressure to change or ditch ‘draconian’ new laws amid fears they could see shop workers and bar staff suing their employers if a customer offends them
It has been suggested that bar staff could be allowed to sue pub landlords if they are insulted by customers
Lord Strathcarron suggested, if the ‘mad’ bill becomes law, bookshops could be put off inviting authors such as JK Rowling to give talks
Jacob Rees-Mogg, the former business secretary, told the Telegraph that establishments that ‘serve the public can expect to run a police state in their business’.
Sir John Hayes, the chairman of the Common Sense Group of Tory MPs, warned the bill had ‘sinister implications’.
Another Conservative MP, Craig Mackinlay, said he believed the change was ‘draconian’.
The newspaper reported that Tory peers in the Lords were preparing to put forward a list of amendments to the bill.
Lord Strathcarron suggested political ‘chaos’ had led to ministers ‘taking their eye off the ball’ over the legislation.
The bill received its first reading in the Commons in June, shortly after Boris Johnson survived a confidence vote among Tory MPs and less than a month before his premiership eventually collapsed.
The bill’s second reading in the Commons came a day after Liz Truss announced her resignation as prime minister.
Lord Strathcarron warned, if the ‘mad’ bill becomes law, bookshops could be put off inviting authors such as JK Rowling to give talks.
He said this was amid concerns they could be sued by employees for ‘hurt feelings’ should people attend wearing T-shirts in support of Rowling’s stance on transgender issues.
The Tory peer also suggested that bar staff could sue pub landlords if they are insulted by customers, while mechanics could sue if garage owners if criticised by a customers whose car fails its MOT.
Kate Nicholls, the chief executive of UK Hospitality, also warned about the possible impact on firms.
She said: ‘We have been raising concerns about the scope of this bill – and it’s unforeseen consequences.
‘While we support measures to address sexual harassment and protect teams, the widening of scope – with very limited consultation and scrutiny – is concerning.’
But Lib Dem MP Wera Hobhouse, co-sponsor of the bill, defended the proposed legislation.
‘One person’s banter is another person’s harassment,’ she told the newspaper.
‘My bill aims to create workplaces where employers ensure that their employees get a proper hearing if they feel they are being harassed, rather than being ignored or dismissed.
‘This bill is not about stopping respectful discussion of controversial issues.’
A spokesman for the Government’s Equalities Office, said: ‘Those that seek to harass people will not be tolerated, which is why this legislation will ensure that employers are legally liable if they fail to protect their employees.
‘However, trivial upset is not a matter for legislation, and that is why we have amended the bill to ensure freedom of speech is protected.
‘The bill will provide the necessary protections for workers, whilst ensuring no one is silenced for simply expressing their legitimately held opinions.’
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