An ex-barmaid plagued by lecherous ‘old men’ commenting about her breasts as a teen is calling on landlords to clamp down on boozy pub chat and introduce ‘banter police’ to protect staff.
Rebecca Reid was constantly harassed by drunks making lewd remarks about her appearance while she worked behind the bar as an 18-year-old and is now demanding greater protection for female employees.
The award-winning journalist said it was a landlord’s ‘responsibility’ to make sure there was someone there to stop punters pushing banter too far.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, she added: ‘If you run a pub where you have young women behind the bar it’s your responsibility to make sure there’s someone there to say, “stop doing that”.
‘It’s so hard, especially when you’re young, to say stop it… especially to a paying customer.’
Former barmaid Rebecca Reid has called for greater protection for female bar staff and urged landlords to clampdown on ‘banter’ directed by punters to pub employees
Rebecca’s comments come amid a row over an update to the Equalities Act which will see new rules introduced to stop workers being harassed in the workplace.
Landlords say the rules might mean an end to drunken chants and banter as workers would have the right to sue if they felt threatened.
But Rebecca said the changes were needed to protect vulnerable young women working behind bars from abuse by drunken pub-goers.
Quizzed by GMB presenter Susannah Reid about the ‘worst thing’ that happened to her during her time behind the bar, Rebecca said: ‘[It was] always about my boobs, always about my boobs. And I was 18 I didn’t need to hear about my boobs from old men.’
‘This is not a joke, you’re saying there should be protection for barmaids behind the bar,’ added Susannah.
‘You put pretty young women behind the bar, then offer no support and use them to bring punters in, I can see why you should be able to sue for that quite honestly,’ said Rebecca.
But Apprentice star Tom Skinner, who was also on the GMB, said people should be allowed to enjoy a ‘bit of friendly banter’ with friends in the pub.
The businessman insisted boozers should not have to employ ‘banter police’ to protect staff, adding: ‘I don’t think they should need to employ more staff I think that’s madness. Pubs are under pressure as it as at the moment’.
Rebecca, left, said she faced constant comments about her breasts while working behind a bar and said pub bosses need to employ people to clampdown on ‘banter’. But Apprentice star Tom Skinner (right) disagreed and said pubs should not employ ‘banter police’
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The pair appeared on Good Morning Britain to discuss the crack down on pub banter amid a row over an update to the Equalities Act which will see new rules introduced to stop workers being harassed in the workplace
‘Good landlord straight away wouldn’t have anyone in his pub who is abusive to his staff.
‘Landlords should be on the ball, no one should be rude to staff.’
Pub owners have said they would be forced to bring in extra bouncers to police their customers’ behaviour.
Conversations that could become off-limits include sexual comments about others – even if they aren’t in the room – shouting at the sport on the TV, sexist crude and offensive jokes and any talk that could intimidate workers.
Critics of the new rules say the update will leave punters unable to have friendly conversation with staff without fear that they’ll be thrown out.
They’re demanding explicit exemptions for jokes and sporting chat be written into the new Worker Protection Bill.
The bill was introduced by Liberal Democrat Wera Hobhouse and is currently at the report stage of its passage through the House of Commons.
Pub bosses said they might be forced to hire ‘banter bouncers’ to enforce the new rules, which the government says are to protect workers (file image)
Hugh Osmond, head of Punch Taverns, told The Sun that pubs might need extra people in to help enforce the new laws.
‘How could we stop a group of people coming into a pub and having an offensive chat in the corner?’
He added: ‘You wouldn’t find rules this strict in China or Russia.’
Conservative MP Danny Kruger was similarly dismissive of the new scheme and suggested that pubs might be forced to put up ‘No banter allowed’ signs.
The government said the law will not impede free speech but will force employers to protect their employees by making them legally liable.
