Let’s face it, for most people, having a laugh with colleagues is one of the joys of working life and one that makes being gainfully employed such a positive part of existence.
Workplace humour reinforces the sense of togetherness that makes great teams tick.
Well now that the Equality Act has been dropped on employers from a great height, that’s all got to stop. Under the new employment laws “third-party harassment” is officially outlawed. This means that if someone takes offence at a joke or some banter in the office – even if it’s not aimed at them or anything to do with them – they can sue their employer.
I can’t begin to express how ridiculous this whole notion is and how potentially destructive it could be for businesses and employees, with small businesses inevitably coming off worst.
An Orwellian society where employees feel Big Brother is perpetually on the prowl not only suppresses natural human instincts for interaction but also goes against modern thinking on how to communicate with employees
It’s blatantly clear that no one who has been involved in coming up with this misguided legislation has ever worked in a small business. If they had they would realise that brilliant teams and the dynamics within them are critical to the success of a small organisation - more so than in a larger, more disjointed company – and that the Equality Act is putting them at risk.
Creating some type of Orwellian society where employees feel that Big Brother is perpetually on the prowl and eavesdropping on their private conversations for evidence of “harassment” not only suppresses natural human instincts for interaction but also goes against all modern thinking on how to communicate with employees.
I’m proud of the brilliant teams and happy workforce who are the lifeblood of Martek Marine and central to the company’s success. And I know beyond any doubt that instilling fear into people at work and stifling emotional engagement with colleagues is not a productive way forward.
The Daily Mail has been predictably quick to condemn the new Equality Act, laying the blame largely at the door of the previous government for what it proclaims is “the end of the office joke”.
My standpoint, though, is not party political, but one of an entrepreneur. I know from experience that great teams and great companies are built on mutual trust and respect, not on encouraging a mentality of fearfulness and back-watching.
The Equality Act may have been created with the very best of intentions but for me, and for many business leaders out there, it’s a step too far.
