Henry Clinton-Davis Weighs in on UK’s Proposed Employment Rights Bill in People Management
Henry Clinton-Davis, Employment partner and head of the firm's UK employment law team, was quoted in the People Management article, “Peers set to challenge Labour’s proposed ‘banter ban’ – but will policing conversations address workplace safety concerns?” The piece explores the implications of Clause 20 of the UK’s proposed Employment Rights Bill, often referred to as the “banter ban,” because it requires employers to take all reasonable steps to protect their employees from harassment by third parties, such as customers and clients.
Clinton-Davis said the government’s intention to encourage employers to protect staff from third-party harassment was “laudable,” but cautioned that the current wording of Clause 20 is so broad it could create a “legal quagmire” for employers. He added that the bill presents particular challenges for sectors where employees interact frequently with the public, such as retail, hospitality, and service industries.
