Builders who wolf whistle will be forced to take 'respectful behaviour' training under Labour workers' rights laws
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Builders will have to get training in 'respectful behaviour' to tackle the 'culture of crude banter' on construction sites under Labour's new workers' rights laws.
The human rights watchdog published guidance on the 'legal obligations' for bosses yesterday as Angela Rayner's controversial 'banter ban' came into force.
The 141-page Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance gives an example of a large construction firm and lists 14 changes it would have to make to comply with Labour's new laws.
The fictional construction firm has a 'high risk of sexual harassment' because it has a male-dominated workforce and 'a culture of crude banter', the watchdog's example warns.
It adds that the company would have to take 'urgent action' to create a 'more inclusive workforce culture' and prevent any harassment on site – or face the threat of legal challenges and huge fines.
Among the steps the construction firm would have to take to comply with Labour's laws would be 'sending a formal letter to all clients and contractors to advise of the firm's refreshed stance on tackling sexual harassment'. And bosses would have to run 'training for all staff, with particular emphasis on inclusion, respectful behaviour and the importance [of] all staff reporting any sexual harassment', the guidance adds.
Tory business spokesman Julia Lopez said: 'Labour's banter ban has only been in force for a day and has already reached the building site, with construction firms facing yet more red tape and training requirements to police workplace conversations.
'Labour is creating a climate where employers are left walking on eggshells, worrying about innocent comments their staff make that could end up falling foul of the new regime.'
The human rights watchdog published guidance on the 'legal obligations' for bosses yesterday as Angela Rayner's controversial 'banter ban' came into force
As part of the Government's implementation of Ms Rayner's Employment Rights Act 2025, pubs, shops and other businesses will be liable for offensive comments and behaviour by their customers.
From yesterday, all businesses are now required to take 'all reasonable steps', rather than simply 'reasonable steps', to prevent sexual and other harassment of their employees.
The new workers' rights laws were welcomed by Equalities minister Bridget Phillipson yesterday, who said the Government was 'working hand-in-hand with businesses to stamp out misogyny'.
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