I almost choked on my cornflakes when I read that the Prime Minister had said he would slash red tape and ‘rip out the bureaucracy that blocks investment’ as part of a bid to persuade global business executives to invest in UK plc. Is this the same Keir Starmer whose government has just published an Employment Rights Bill that will tip a wastepaper basket full of red tape over employers’ heads? I know all governments pledge to ‘free up’ British businesses and then smother them in new regulations, but this wins first prize.
Employers will be liable if they fail to protect employees from overheard conversations, but also T-shirts, badges and lapel pins that prove ‘triggering’
The focus of my ire is Clause 16 of the Bill, which will turbocharge the Equality Act by making employers liable for any ‘harassment’ of their employees by ‘third parties’, i.e. members of the public.
I know what you’re thinking.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in