“Office Antics” leave SMEs open to court action
01/12/09
The level of swearing, sexism, shouting and sexual innuendo in the UK's work force is reaching alarming levels, and businesses could face lengthy court actions if they cannot curb their employees, according to new research.
Business insurer Hiscox has revealed that 70% of UK staff feel bad behaviour is sweeping across office floors. The Hiscox study consulted small to medium enterprise bosses (SME) and their staff about the standards of behaviour present in the country's offices, highlighting a chasm developing over "office antics".
Alarmingly, 70% of employers claim they are "unconcerned" about the threat of legal action from staff, and 82% believe there is nothing wrong with office banter. Two in five employers (42%) said it is not their role to regulate antics, despite 55% of employees stating they would head to court if they felt offended by office behaviour.
"Employers have to remember that they have an obligation to their employees to ensure that the workplace is a place where there no discrimination and harrassment of one employee by another, remembering that what one person sees as a joke and a laugh might well be offensive to another" said Emma del Torto, an employment law specialist in Loosemores Commercial Law department.
With the season of Christmas Parties now underway, employers need to be aware of their responsibilities towards their staff - our team of specialist lawyers can advise in you in all aspects of employment law.
Send an email to commercial@loosemores.co.uk or call us on 02920 224433 to find out more.