Calling a man 'bald' is sexual harassment, High Court rules
10 October 2024, 18:56 | Updated: 10 October 2024, 19:16
The High Court has ruled calling a man "bald" can be considered sexual harassment.
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A judge has said using the word about a man could breach equality laws because it is "inherently related to gender".
It follows a lengthy legal case brought by electrician Tony Finn who claimed he had been sexually harassed by his boss during a heated row in 2019.
Tom Swarbrick discusses the High Court's ruling on baldness
One balding caller told Tom Swarbrick that the High Court ruling is "a load of waffle".
Jordan said there is "nothing sexual" about the insult.
He also pointed out baldness is not exclusive to gender.
“Commenting on it doesn't necessarily make someone guilty of sexual harassment,” he said.
He added it was more likely the judge may have had their own insecurities.
Mr Finn, 64, made the claim against the British Bung Company, where he worked as an electrician for 24 years before he was fired in 2021.
He said he was a victim of sexual harassment after comments were made about his baldness, including being called a "stupid bald c***" by his supervisor during an argument.
His supervisor, Jamie King, also threatened to "deck" him, Mr Finn recalled, saying the encounter left him "fearful for my personal safety".
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The landmark employment tribunal ruling was made by a panel of three bald men, according to The Telegraph.
The three-person panel said the remark "crossed a line" and dismissed an argument that the comment was not sexist because women can be bald too.
The judgement said there was "a connection between the word 'bald'" and "the protected characteristic of sex", noting that it is "much more prevalent in men than women".
The panel, led by Judge Jonathan Brain, added: "We find it inherently related to sex."
Daniel Barnett outlines issues with bald sex harassment ruling
