Pub Police

Big Brother is in the pub:

Under plans to supposedly protect workers in customer-facing jobs, such as pub staff, the Labour government of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has proposed reforms mandating employers protect workers from harassment by “third parties,” such as customers. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) watchdog has warned that impending “worker’s rights” legislation threatens to “disproportionately curtail” freedom of speech, the Times of London reported. The ECHR raised particular concern over how the legislation could impact “overheard conversations” in places like pubs where patrons may discuss controversial issues such as issues surrounding gender or religion, which employers may not recognise should be allowed as protected “philosophical beliefs”. “The legal definition of what amounts to philosophical belief is complex and not well understood by employers,” the watchdog said. “It is arguable that these difficulties may lead to disproportionate restriction of the right to freedom of expression under Article 10 ECHR.” Government ministers have acknowledged that freedom of speech issues may arise, “particularly in areas of legitimate debate which are carried out in a contentious manner”. However, it argued that the definition of harassment in its legislation: “unwanted conduct that has the purpose or effect of violating the recipient’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment”, is limited enough to prevent overreach.

That's how it starts...