Calling a man bald is 'sex harassment'

A panel of balding judges has ruled that insulting a man by calling him "bald" amounts to 'sex harassment'.

In a landmark judgment, an employment tribunal found that using the term 'bald' to describe someone is a form of discrimination - because men are more likely to lose their hair than women.

Made by a panel of three men who cited their own lack of hair, the ruling came in a case between electrician Tony Finn and his West Yorkshire-based employers. After the hearing, Mr Finn said: "I hope my win helps to stop other men being insulted and verbally attacked because they are bald."

64-year-old Mr Finn worked for the British Bung Company for almost 24 years before he was fired last May. Following his sacking, he took the firm to the tribunal claiming - among other things - that he had been the victim of 'sex harassment' following an incident with factory supervisor Jamie King. Mr Finn alleged that Mr King referred to him as a "bald c---" during a shop floor row in July 2019. 

The tribunal heard that, following the confrontation, Mr Finn had written a statement about the incident with his son Robert - a serving police officer - on official West Yorkshire Police paper. Mr Finn said it was not his intention to make the statement appear like an official police document, however, the firm accused him of attempted intimidation and fired him for misconduct.

The allegation resulted in the panel, which comprised Judge Jonathan Brain, David Dorman-Smith and Keith Lannaman, deliberating on whether remarking on his baldness was simply insulting or was actual harassment. "Mr King crossed the line by making remarks personal to the claimant about his appearance," the panel decided.

A lawyer for the company argued that both men and women can be bald, however, the panel responded by saying: "As all three members of the tribunal will vouchsafe, baldness is much more prevalent in men than women. We find it to be inherently related to sex."

The British Bung Company said it was "surprised" by the tribunal's comments.

The tribunal upheld Mr Finn's claims of unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal, being subjected to detrimental comments and 'sex harassment'. His compensation will be determined at a later date.

Broadgate Legal

London Solicitors

Tel; 0203 206 1133