A judge has ruled that calling a man “bald” could violate equality laws, as the term is “inherently related to gender.”
The decision came after Tony Finn, a 64-year-old electrician, filed a sexual harassment claim against his employer, the British Bung Company, following a heated argument with his supervisor in 2019. During the dispute, Finn’s supervisor, Jamie King, allegedly insulted him by calling him a “stupid bald c***” and threatening to physically assault him, leaving Finn in fear for his safety.
Finn, who had worked for the company for 24 years before being fired in 2021, argued that the comments about his baldness amounted to sexual harassment. The employment tribunal agreed, ruling that such remarks were linked to sex discrimination, as baldness is more common in men than women.
A panel of three bald judges, led by Judge Jonathan Brain, delivered the ruling, stating that the comment “crossed a line” and had a connection to the protected characteristic of sex. The panel rejected the defense’s argument that baldness is not exclusive to men, emphasising that it is much more prevalent in males.
The decision has sparked debate, with some critics, dismissing the ruling as excessive. However, the tribunal maintained that the insult was gendered and therefore fell under the category of sexual harassment.
[Image created via MidJourney]