Pubs may ‘ban drinkers from speaking about transgender rights’ below new staff’ rights reforms

Discussing controversial topics like trans rights or religion in the pub could be banned under Labour’s new workers’ rights charter. 

The proposed legislation, which is expected to come into force next year, puts a duty on employers to prevent workers from being harassed by third parties such as customers.

That could prove difficult from employers to enforce, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has warned, when it applies to more philosophical debates in venues like pubs, The Times reported. 

The controversial charter risks becoming ‘an adventure playground for employment rights lawyers’, according to a leading industry voice. 

Rupert Soames, the president of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) urged ministers to think again about measures in the Employment Rights Bill, which he warned would cost jobs and damage growth.

The legislation will scrap anti-strike laws brought in by the last Conservative government and introduce a string of new employment rights championed by the trade unions.

The government’s own impact assessment found the legislation was likely to cost business up to £5 billion a year, but many business leaders fear the damage will be far greater.

Mr Soames said the measures would compound the harm done by Rachel Reeves’s £25 billion raid on employers’ National Insurance.

Labour’s proposed workers’ rights charter, expected to come into force next year, has so far proved controversial

The charter puts a duty on employers to prevent workers from being harassed by third parties such as customers – put that may prove problematic to enforce when it comes to philosophical beliefs like trans rights

Experts say discussing controversial topics like religion in the pub could be banned under Labour’s controversial workers’ rights charter

He told BBC radio Four’s Today programme that the legislation would drive up unemployment. 

Speaking about the impact on business, he said: ‘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.

‘Nobody wants this, but the things like the probation periods in the Employment Rights Bill, we don’t want that to become an adventure playground for employment rights lawyers.’

The Employment Rights Bill will bring in guaranteed hours provisions on zero-hours contracts and allow workers to bring unfair dismissal claims from the first day of employment.

But it will also introduce a new statutory probation period designed to make it easier for employers to dismiss new hires if they are found to be unsuitable for the job.

Downing Street said ministers would continue to ‘engage’ with business on the detail of the legislation, but insisted the government was committed to it.

The PM’s official spokesman claimed the measures would lead to ‘higher productivity for workers and higher returns for business’.

He added: ‘Many workers already deliver higher workers’ rights because it is in their own interests.’

CBI president Rupert Soames said Labour’s workers’ rights bill would costs jobs and hit growth

Mr Soames said the legislation would compound the harm done by Rachel Reeves’s £25 billion raid on employers’ national insurance

The Bank of England. Downing Street said ministers would continue to engage with businesses on the details of the legislation