Labour's bid to stamp out workplace harassment could put an end to boozy office parties, experts warn

By GREG HEFFER, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT

Published: | Updated:

Labour's bid to stamp out workplace harassment could put an end to boozy office parties, experts have warned.

The Worker Protection Act is due to take effect on 26 October and will place a duty on firms to take 'reasonable steps' to prevent sexual harassment of their employees.

But, under Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner's planned overhaul of workers' rights, Labour wants to upgrade the duty on employers to 'all reasonable steps'.

This was how the legislation was initially drafted before being watered down by peers in the House of Lords as it passed through Parliament.

Prior to the general election, Labour vowed to return the duty to its tougher wording as part of their 'Plan to Make Work Pay' to be implemented with 100 days of winning power.

The Worker Protection Act is due to take effect on 26 October and will place a duty on firms to take 'reasonable steps' to prevent sexual harassment of their employees. (File pic)

The Worker Protection Act is due to take effect on 26 October and will place a duty on firms to take 'reasonable steps' to prevent sexual harassment of their employees. (File pic)

Under Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner's planned overhaul of workers' rights, Labour wants to upgrade the duty on employers to 'all reasonable steps'

Under Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner's planned overhaul of workers' rights, Labour wants to upgrade the duty on employers to 'all reasonable steps'

Experts warned Labour's action could put an end to boozy office parties

Experts warned Labour's action could put an end to boozy office parties

Lawyers have warned reinstating the word 'all' will have a 'significant practical impact', the Telegraph reported.

James Davies, an employment partner at Lewis Silkin, said that clients had been raising concerns about the implications of the changes.

He added that 'all' preventative measures could include a crackdown on boozy work events.

'It means they have to be seen to go even further – such as perhaps looking at any work event where alcohol will be consumed and mitigating harassment risks,' he told the newspaper.

'Mitigating steps could be warning staff beforehand of expected behaviour, ensuring anyone who feels uncomfortable knows how to respond and perhaps even restricting excessive alcohol consumption.'

Mr Davies added that many staff 'don't realise that a work event is an extension of the workplace, potentially even where staff agree to go to the pub after work and it isn't organised by the employer.'

Nicholas Le Riche, a partner at BDB Pitmans, said the legislation would mark a 'significant change' for employers and could affect all 'team building events' and not just after-work drinks.

Ms Rayner and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds last week met with senior trade union officials and business organisations to discuss their workers' rights overhaul as part of their Plan to Make Work Pay.

Business leaders warned of 'real damage' to the UK economy if Labour rushed through its planned reforms.

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