UK Supreme Court's Landmark Ruling: Calling a Man 'Bald' Now Classified as Sexual Harassment

Berfin Ceren Meray
Onedio Member
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In a groundbreaking decision, the UK Supreme Court has ruled that calling a man 'bald' can be considered sexual harassment. The court equated the insult to making inappropriate comments about a woman's body, setting a new legal precedent. What led to this ruling, and how might it change workplace dynamics? Find out more about this surprising legal decision and its potential implications.

The High Court has ruled that calling a man "bald" could be equivalent to commenting on a woman's breasts.

It was stated that the term could violate equality laws and is 'directly related to sex.'

This decision stems from an incident in 2019 when electrician Tony Finn claimed his supervisor, Jamie King, insulted him by calling him a "bald c***" while working at British Bung Company.

After being dismissed in 2021, Finn filed a case with the Employment Tribunal, which ruled in his favor in February 2022. Although the company appealed the decision, their appeal was rejected in November 2023. The company argued that both men and women can experience baldness for various reasons, thus claiming that the term did not violate equality laws.

Judge Naomi Ellenbogen, however, ruled that the comments were "directly related to sex" and could constitute gender-based harassment.

This decision opened the door for Tony Finn to receive compensation.

In the February 2022 ruling, it was proven that Finn was wrongfully dismissed and verbally harassed for his baldness.

The court acknowledged that baldness predominantly affects men and that the insult directed at Finn was gender-based.