When a pub has treated a staff member in a homophobic manner is that acceptable since its not illegal?

Answer 1

No it is not acceptable and I think you'll find that it is not legal either. I'm not sure what law has been broken but it's got something to do with current employment ledgislation.

Edit: I have just read all the other replies and WTF. It is against the law to harras or bully somone else in the workplace. This includes discrimination on the grounds of sexuallity. The law was changed a year or so ago and my company recently made me sign up to Business conduct guidelines which covered all things like this. Never mind that they should be discrete about if or that if they make it an issue then they would be let go. Heterosexuals are frequently open about their sexuallity so why shouldn't homosexuals be. As long as sexual behaviour is not going on in the workplace then everyone regardless of sexuallity should be treated with respect. The law demands nothing less.

Answer 2

Homophobia is not a crime, nor does it fall under discrimination law. It is a fear.
How does the Pub management know that the staff member is homosexual? I have managed several restaurants and I have very little knowledge of my staff's sexuality, nor do I care to know.
Maybe the staff member is making his/her sexuality an issue and it's interfering with their work, which I have seen before.
Like I said...as a manager I don't give a rat's patootie what they do with their private parts, but if it is becoming an issue during working hours, my staff needs to find something else to keep themselves busy. If I can't keep them busy enough, then I have to let them go.

Answer 3

You say its not illegal but i believe it is covered under sexual discrimination. You may also find that your employer, either the pub or the brewery has a policy regarding any form of discrimination. Make a formal written greivance to your line manger if they are the problem then you go to next in line which may the the brewery. They sound aweful employers get another job!

Answer 4

No this is not acceptable. This is discrimination. The member of staff should log the incidents including times and dates and take this to a senior member of staff. If there is no satisfaction then take it to an industrial tribunal.

Answer 5

This is a very hot issue right now, new legislation has recently been passed protecting gay and lesbian people from homophobic abuse in the workplace. It states that it is the employers duty to protect its employees from this treatment, and makes the employer directly liable for damages in the case of it occurring.

I would seek legal advice immediatley.

Answer 6

They can't be that homophobic if they employ you and keep you on. It depends in what way they have treated you in a homophobic manner. Was it a slip of the tongue or a punch in the face?

Answer 7

i remember a story from a "rough" bar a few years back where management and regular cutomers were constantly rude to a member of staff because they were gay, but if any non regular customer said anything about it they got beaten up because he was "thier puff", IF someone is openly homosexual and can't handle the fact that the majority don't understand or like there choice it serves them right, they should learn to be discrete about it

Answer 8

I think you'll find that if said employee has a contract then this would fall under discrimination at work and said employer could have a rather large problem on their hands.

Answer 9

In UK go to Citizens Bureau and seek help it is free. I believe it is discrimination and therefore if under contract should have a case against the company. Don't let him hand his notice in until he seeks help.

Answer 10

not acceptable ,think you will find it is illegal to behave towards someone in this manner could be seen as bullying because ! seek legal advice.