Labour’s New Law that threatens Free Speech in Pubs & Other Work Places

[Social Media]

 

Labour's proposed Employment Rights Bill has ignited concerns about its potential effects on free speech and business operations, particularly in public spaces like pubs. The legislation, expected to take effect next year, imposes a duty on employers to prevent workers from being harassed by third parties, including customers. This provision has raised alarms about how employers might manage philosophical debates on controversial topics such as trans rights or religion in social settings.  

 

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) warned that implementing these requirements in venues like pubs could be challenging, as reported by *The Times*. Critics argue the legislation could open the door to excessive legal disputes. Rupert Soames, president of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), described the proposed measures as a potential “adventure playground for employment rights lawyers.”  

 

Soames urged ministers to reconsider key elements of the bill, citing concerns about its economic consequences. “I think not only will they not employ, I think they will let people go. I think there could be quite an ugly rush before some of these things come into force,” he told BBC Radio 4's *Today* programme.  

 

He also pointed to Labour's recent £25 billion increase in employers’ National Insurance contributions under Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves as a compounding factor. According to Soames, the combination of these measures could lead to higher unemployment and harm business growth.  

The government’s own impact assessment estimates the legislation could cost businesses up to £5 billion annually. However, many business leaders believe the true financial burden could be significantly greater.  

 

The Employment Rights Bill includes various provisions aimed at improving workers' conditions, such as guaranteed hours for those on zero-hours contracts and the ability for employees to file unfair dismissal claims from the first day of work. It also introduces a statutory probation period to simplify dismissals for new hires deemed unsuitable for their roles.  

 

Despite business leaders’ apprehensions, Downing Street remains steadfast in its commitment to the legislation. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman asserted that the bill would benefit both workers and businesses by boosting productivity and creating higher returns. “Many workers already deliver higher workers’ rights because it is in their own interests,” the spokesman said, emphasizing that the government will continue engaging with businesses to refine the legislation’s details.  

 

While proponents argue that the charter will enhance fairness and security for workers, critics worry about unintended consequences, such as stifling public discourse and exacerbating economic strain. As the debate unfolds, the balance between protecting workers’ rights and maintaining business viability remains a contentious issue.  

 

Based on a report by Daily Mail 2024-01-15

 

 

[Tailwagsdog]

Bring on the robots ....no pay, no drama, no sick days ...

[Homburg]

2 hours ago, Social Media said:

Critics argue the legislation could open the door to excessive legal disputes.

 

There is apparently absolutely no truth in the rumour that the UK Prime Minister, being a lawyer, is introducing this to generate more work for his lawyer mates.

[soalbundy]

2 hours ago, Tailwagsdog said:

Bring on the robots ....no pay, no drama, no sick days ...

That's coming anyway, give it another 20 years and there may still be a few strange people around who have a job.

[Yagoda]

Im seeing more and more Brits around Cambodia.

[henryford1958]

We don't have speech now

[Chomper Higgot]

2 hours ago, Homburg said:

 

There is apparently absolutely no truth in the rumour that the UK Prime Minister, being a lawyer, is introducing this to generate more work for his lawyer mates.

You right, there isn’t.

[Chomper Higgot]

3 hours ago, Tailwagsdog said:

Bring on the robots ....no pay, no drama, no sick days ...

It’s not robots that are coming, they’re here already.

 

GAI is on its way, it’s going to gut white collar jobs.

 

 

[JonnyF]

Banning smoking in pubs, banning conversations in pubs.

 

May as well be done with it and ban alcohol. 

 

We really should just stay home, stay off social media (especially X), work, watch the state propaganda on the BBC and pay our taxes. 

[Chomper Higgot]

5 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Banning smoking in pubs, banning conversations in pubs.

 

May as well be done with it and ban alcohol. 

 

We really should just stay home, stay off social media (especially X), work, watch the state propaganda on the BBC and pay our taxes. 

More hyperbole Jonny.

 

Nobody is banning conversations in pubs.

 

 

[JonnyF]

Just now, Chomper Higgot said:

Nobody is banning conversations in pubs.

 

Just the topics and the opinions expressed.

 

I'm sure we'll all be free to praise Starmer and apologise for the rape gangs.

 

Marvellous. 

[Chomper Higgot]

6 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

Just the topics and the opinions expressed.

 

I'm sure we'll all be free to praise Starmer and apologise for the rape gangs.

 

Marvellous. 

I expect your sure about lots of things you imagine.

 

Meanwhile, the Employment Rights Bill improves the rights of ordinary working people, good to see Labour helping working people.

[JonnyF]

3 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Meanwhile, the Employment Rights Bill improves the rights of ordinary working people, good to see Labour helping working people.

 

With Rachel from accounts delivering a "budget for recession" that raises unemployment?

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g7x6p865zo

 

 

[Chomper Higgot]

12 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

With Rachel from accounts delivering a "budget for recession" that raises unemployment?

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g7x6p865zo

 

 

Jonny wanders off topic.

 

Again.

[JonnyF]

Just now, Chomper Higgot said:

Jonny wanders off topic.

 

Again.

 

You raised it...

 

19 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

good to see Labour helping working people.

 

[Chomper Higgot]

Just now, JonnyF said:

 

You raised it...

 

 

Jonny, refer to the OP, especially this bit:

 

5 hours ago, Social Media said:

Labour's proposed Employment Rights Bill

 

 

[JonnyF]

2 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Jonny, refer to the OP, especially this bit:

 

 

 

 

Yes, no link whatsoever between Laboutr pretending to protect employees while simultaneously making them unemployed. 😄

 

I realize you'd like to brush that sorry budget under the carpet though.

 

Maybe you can ban speech about that as well? Oh wait, that's exactly what you're trying to do. 

[Bkk Brian]

45 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

More hyperbole Jonny.

 

Nobody is banning conversations in pubs.

 

 

Did you read the topic, that may well be the case for certain subjects such as  trans rights or religion to name just a couple.

[seajae]

the idiots voted for a woke govt now they can reap what they voted for, the UK is f'd

[Woke to Sounds of Horking]

2 hours ago, soalbundy said:

That's coming anyway, give it another 20 years and there may still be a few strange people around who have a job.

Universal Basic Income is coming. Won't be able to save your credits month to month though. Eating, mating and travel based on merit.

 

The even more useless eaters will just be euthanised.

[Woke to Sounds of Horking]

1 hour ago, Yagoda said:

Im seeing more and more Brits around Cambodia.

Kampot was mostly British when I was there last spring.

[NanLaew]

6 hours ago, Social Media said:

... This provision has raised alarms about how employers might manage philosophical debates on controversial topics such as trans rights or religion in social settings. ...

 

Eh? Wot? Howzat again?

[Chomper Higgot]

So the upshot is.

 

Employers will still be allowed to permit their customers to abuse their staff, but may face legal ramifications for doing so.

 

I do understand why this will not sit well with employers who allow their customers to abuse their staff and customers who enjoy abusing the staff in establishments they frequent.

 

 

[Chomper Higgot]

2 hours ago, Yagoda said:

Im seeing more and more Brits around Cambodia.

That’s how self selection works.

[dinsdale]

More evidence of the insane woke DEI radical left. Thankfully this will no longer be the case in the US and even now Trump's victory is leading to a pushback against woke ideology. Trudeau's gone and more of the woke left politicians/parties will follow. Sadly the right moves in and this is also of concern to me. Hopefully Trump sticks to the more centrist/populist stance he campaigned on. 

[Bkk Brian]

9 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

So the upshot is.

 

Employers will still be allowed to permit their customers to abuse their staff, but may face legal ramifications for doing so.

 

I do understand why this will not sit well with employers who allow their customers to abuse their staff and customers who enjoy abusing the staff in establishments they frequent.

 

 

Actually the upshot is that employers may well ban certain subjects to be discussed to avoid any potential legal ramifications. Get it right Chomper.

[dinsdale]

10 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Actually the upshot is that employers may well ban certain subjects to be discussed to avoid any potential legal ramifications. Get it right Chomper.

A fair point but a few pints in and my guess is any such bans will well and truly be ignored.

[JonnyF]

7 hours ago, Social Media said:

Despite business leaders’ apprehensions, Downing Street remains steadfast in its commitment to the legislation. The Prime Minister’s official spokesman asserted that the bill would benefit both workers and businesses by boosting productivity and creating higher returns.

 

Without saying why, or how, of course.

 

Back in reality, many of these workers won't even get a job now, because the employer won't be able to afford the VAT hike that Rachel from accounts put in her budget for recession, so will hire less workers and demand more of those remaining staff to fill the gap. 

 

Labour, ruining the economy one policy at a time. 

[Will B Good]

The Worker Protection Bill would bring in a duty for employers to take preventative steps to stop harassment by a third party, such as a customer in a shop, pub or cafe…….seems sensible……”You…yes you…..out now. You’re barred" 

 

 

An employer can defend a claim against them if the comment was not directed at the worker, is not grossly offensive, and is expressing an opinion on religion, politics, moral or social matters.

 

Big fat nothing burger as per from the Daily Fail.

 

 

 

 

[Bkk Brian]

48 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

The Worker Protection Bill would bring in a duty for employers to take preventative steps to stop harassment by a third party, such as a customer in a shop, pub or cafe…….seems sensible……”You…yes you…..out now. You’re barred" 

 

 

An employer can defend a claim against them if the comment was not directed at the worker, is not grossly offensive, and is expressing an opinion on religion, politics, moral or social matters.

 

Big fat nothing burger as per from the Daily Fail.

 

 

 

 

Big fat nothing burger as per from the Daily Fail.

 

When you blame the messenger and you fail

 

Pubs ‘could ban patrons from talking about transgender rights’ under new workers' rights reforms

https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/pubs-could-ban-patrons-from-talking-about-transgender-rights/

 

Pubs ‘could ban patrons from talking about transgender rights’

https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/customer-free-speech-employment-rights-bill-transgender-pp3ps35dq

 

Warning over bill that could change what you talk about in the pub

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/ehrc-pub-talk-work-workers-bill-b2679714.html

 

Pubs could curb free speech to avoid legal risks under Labour’s Workers’ Rights Bill

https://freespeechunion.org/pubs-could-curb-free-speech-to-avoid-legal-risks-under-labours-workers-rights-bill/