Hello gorgeous: not any more sir!
New rules could ban banter at the bar
New laws may make banter with the barmaid a thing of the past. Licensees who allow sexist jokes — or even words such as "darling" or "love" at the bar — could face a tribunal and unlimited fines.
Operators must show they have tried to combat sexual harassment of workers by customers. Pubs are advised to display notices warning punters that harassment will not be tolerated.
The new rules, pushed through by Women & Equalities Minister Harriet Harman, allow tribunals to award damages for injury to feelings if a case is proved.
MA legal editor Peter Coulson said: "The employer is exposing their staff to the risk of discrimination or prejudice by allowing customers to get away with it.
"He is the operator of the premises and in the position to stop it happening.
"The staff member does have to complain and show that the employer knew about it on at least two occasions and did nothing.
"The best thing for licensees to do is take staff complaints extremely seriously."
Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations chief executive Tony Payne said: "The weakness in the trade is that there has been rapport in the past — you just can't have it anymore."
Tory MP for Northampton South Brian Binley labelled the directive "batty" in the House of Commons this week, adding: "It places a further burden of some £10m on small business to enforce and monitor it.
"When will Government start saying no to stupid European regulations, which are unenforceable, encourage troublemakers and bring the law into disrepute?"
n Coulson - p26
