In May, the British government said that this provision of the Equality Act, voted two years ago (see our dispatch No. 100592), was “impractical” and prepared the ground by launching a consultation on its removal. Currently, employers have to take “reasonable” steps to prevent third-party harassment of their staff, i.e. harassment from anyone outside the company’s circle (users, clients, suppliers, service providers…). In the Equality Act, the list isn’t exhaustive. In any case, the British government believes that managing this risk is impossible, as employers cannot directly monitor the way third parties behave towards their staff. Business Ministers Jo Swinson said removing this measure would help “strengthen the business environment and boost confidence, by sweeping away needless bureaucracy and out-of-date rules.” The coming repeal (no date has been given yet) is actually part of a series of measures designed to cut red tape for businesses – a bill reforming these businesses regulations is in the offing.
and out-of-date rules.” The coming repeal (no date has been given yet) is actually part of a series of measures designed to cut red tape for businesses – a bill reforming these businesses regulations is in the offing.
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