Government Consults on Repeal of Third Party Harassment Provisions

The Government is seeking views on the removal of the third party harassment provisions in the Equality Act 2010, as proposed in the ‘Plan for Growth’ published in March 2011.

The provisions make employers liable for harassment of their employees by third parties, such as customers or clients, over whom they do not have any direct control. The Government is of the view that the provisions are unworkable and there is a lack of evidence that there is a significant need for them or that they are effective in practice.

The consultation document can be found on the Home Office website. The closing date for responses is 7 August 2012.