This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/6441595.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Government loses sex bias ruling Government loses sex bias ruling
(about 3 hours later)
The government has failed to properly comply with EU obligations on sexual harassment and pregnancy discrimination, a High Court has ruled.The government has failed to properly comply with EU obligations on sexual harassment and pregnancy discrimination, a High Court has ruled.
The Equal Opportunities Commission won a case it said should now strengthen sex equality laws for women.The Equal Opportunities Commission won a case it said should now strengthen sex equality laws for women.
It argued that government regulations amending the Sex Discrimination Act in line with EU directives had defined harassment too narrowly.It argued that government regulations amending the Sex Discrimination Act in line with EU directives had defined harassment too narrowly.
The Department of Trade and Industry can appeal or must change the rules.The Department of Trade and Industry can appeal or must change the rules.
OffensiveOffensive
The commission said that UK laws fell short of the aims of the EU directive - which strove to ensure that women at work did not face "any unwanted conduct related to their sex which violates their dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment".The commission said that UK laws fell short of the aims of the EU directive - which strove to ensure that women at work did not face "any unwanted conduct related to their sex which violates their dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment".
Under current UK law harassment by an employer's clients or customers is not included. Under current UK law, harassment by an employer's clients or customers is not included.
The commission said that sexual harassment by customers was particularly rife in the hotel and restaurant trade, the commission said. The commission said that sexual harassment by customers was particularly rife in the hotel and restaurant trade.