A former bartender who was harassed by lecherous “old men” who made comments about her breasts as a teenager is urging landlords to crack down on alcoholic pub chatter and implement “banter police” to protect staff.
Rebecca Reid, who worked as a bartender at the age of 18 and was routinely harassed by drunks making inappropriate comments about her appearance, is now demanding stronger safety for female employees.
The award-winning journalist stated that it was the landlord’s’responsibility’ to have someone present to prevent patrons from engaging in excessive chatter.
She continued on Good Morning Britain, “If you run a pub with young women behind the bar, it’s your responsibility to make sure someone is there to tell them to stop.”
“It’s so difficult to say stop when you’re young, especially to a paying customer,”
Rebecca’s remarks come amid a dispute over an overhaul to the Equalities Act that will include new standards to prevent workplace harassment.
The ability of workers to sue if they feel intimidated, according to landlords, may put an end to drunken yells and banter.
Rebecca, however, argued that modifications were necessary to safeguard vulnerable young women working behind bars from abuse by intoxicated bar patrons.
Rebecca responded to GMB host Susannah Reid’s question on the “worst thing” that occurred during her tenure behind the bar by stating, “[It was] always about my breasts, always about my breasts.” And I was 18; I didn’t need old men to comment on my breasts.
Susannah said, “This is not a joke; you’re saying that bartenders behind the bar should be protected.”
Rebecca stated, “If you place attractive young women behind the bar, then provide no support and use them to attract customers, I can see why you should be able to sue for that.”
But Apprentice star Tom Skinner, who was also a member of the GMB, stated that people should be let to engage in “a bit of friendly banter” in the bar with their pals.
The businessman claimed that taverns should not be required to employ “banter police” to safeguard their employees, adding, “I don’t think they should be required to hire more staff; I think that’s ridiculous.” Pubs are already under pressure as it is.
A good landlord would immediately bar anyone who is abusive to his personnel from his establishment.
No one should be nasty to staff, and landlords should be proactive.
Pub owners have stated that they will be obliged to hire additional bouncers to monitor the behavior of their patrons.
Sexual comments about others, even if they’re not in the room, yelling at the TV, sexist, obscene, and insulting jokes, and any conversation that could intimidate employees could become off-limits.
Critics of the new restrictions assert that the modification will prevent patrons from engaging in cordial dialogue with workers without fear of ejection.
They are requesting that clear exceptions for jokes and sports talk be included in the new Worker Protection Bill.
The measure was introduced by Liberal Democrat Wera Hobhouse, and its transit through the House of Commons is now at the report stage.
Hugh Osmond, the CEO of Punch Taverns, told The Sun that pubs may need additional personnel to police the new regulations.
How might we prevent a group from entering a pub and engaging in obscene conversation in the corner?
He continued, “You wouldn’t find such stringent regulations in China or Russia.”
Danny Kruger, a member of the Conservative Party, was also critical of the new plan and proposed that bars may be required to post “No banter allowed” signs.
According to the government, the bill will not restrict free expression, but it will require businesses to protect their workers by making them legally liable.
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