Overview

• The House of Lords is debating amendments to the Employment Rights Bill’s third-party harassment duties, dubbed the “banter police,” that would require employers to guard against overheard offensive comments.
• Tory peers and the Equality and Human Rights Commission are pressing for an explicit carve-out to protect political, moral, religious and social expression from falling under harassment claims.
• Business groups and Treasury officials warn the bill could impose multibillion-pound compliance costs and spark labour unrest, creating a chilling effect on workplace conversation.
• The legislation would expand union rights by mandating time off for equality matters, lowering strike thresholds under repealed Tory laws and automating Labour Party funding via union dues.
• A government spokeswoman said the bill bolsters safeguards against intimidation and sexual harassment without curbing lawful speech, leaving courts to balance competing rights.