Pubs could ban customers from talking about topics such as transgender rights if landlords think they are harassing staff under Labour's new workers' rights charter.
The proposed legislation, which is expected to come into force next year, puts a duty on employers to prevent workers from being harassed by third parties such as customers.
That could prove difficult from employers to enforce, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has warned, when it applies to more philosophical debates in venues like pubs, The Times reported.
The controversial charter risks becoming 'an adventure playground for employment rights lawyers', according to a leading industry voice.
The legislation will scrap anti-strike laws brought in by the last Conservative government and introduce a string of new employment rights championed by the trade unions.
The government's own impact assessment found the legislation was likely to cost business up to 5 billion a year, but many business leaders fear the damage will be far greater.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has warned that it could 'curtail' freedom of expression and be applied to 'overheard conversations'.
If staff hear punters discussing religious views, transgender rights or women's rights in a 'contentious manner', the customers could be handed a ban.
Labour's proposed workers' rights charter, expected to come into force next year, has so far proved controversial
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