Calling men 'bald' as an insult in the workplace qualifies as sexual harassment, a tribunal has ruled.
The decision, made - perhaps unsurprisingly - by an all-male panel, concluded that commenting on a man’s baldness could be considered equivalent to making remarks on the size of a woman’s breasts.
What's more, the three men all reportedly bemoaned their own lack of hair whilst making their decision - justifying it on the basis that hair loss is more prevalent in men than women.
Thanks to the decision Tony Finn, who worked for the West Yorkshire-based British Bung Company for nearly 24 years, is now in line for a payout.
Veteran electrician Mr Finn took his bosses to court after being fired in May last year, claiming - amongst other things - that he had been the victim of sexual harassment after a supervisor referred to him as a 'bald c*nt".
Finn's representatives told the tribunal that he was more upset by the 'Anglo-Saxon' language than the bald comment itself, yet the panel still decided to deliberate on the baldness aspect.
“We have little doubt that being referred to in this pejorative manner was unwanted conduct as far as [Finn] was concerned,” the tribunal found.
“This is strong language. Although, as we find, industrial language was commonplace on this West Yorkshire factory floor, in our judgment Mr King crossed the line by making remarks personal to the claimant about his appearance.”
“It is difficult to conclude other than that Mr King uttered those words with the purpose of violating [Finn’s] dignity and creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for him,” the judgment found.
“Of his own admission, Mr King’s intention was to threaten [Finn] and to insult him. In our judgment, there is a connection between the word ‘bald’ on the one hand and the protected characteristic of sex on the other.
“[The company’s lawyer] was right to submit that women as well as men may be bald. However, 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 panel, as part of its judgment, raised a previous case in which a man had been found to have sexually harassed a woman by commenting on the size of her woman's breasts.
“It is much more likely that a person on the receiving end of a comment such as that which was made in [that] case would be female,” the tribunal said.
“So too, it is much more likely that a person on the receiving end of a remark such as that made by Mr King would be male. Mr King made the remark with a view to hurting the claimant by commenting on his appearance which is often found amongst men.
“The tribunal therefore determines that by referring to the claimant as a ‘bald cunt’ … Mr King’s conduct was unwanted, it was a violation of the claimant’s dignity, it created an intimidating environment for him, it was done for that purpose, and it related to the claimant’s sex.”
Mr Finn is yet to receive a payout and the amount of compensation that will be given outhas not yet been confirmed.
A pooch therapy session is coming to Leeds where you can cuddle with a litter of adorable Dalmatian puppies.
If you're feeling down in the dumps and looking for a dopamine hit, then there's an event taking place in Leeds just for you.
Pooch Therapy offer a unique and heartwarming initiative dedicated to enhancing the lives of both puppies and humans through specially curated sessions.
Each event includes on hour of play and cuddles with the puppies and are designed to support the early socialisation of puppies while providing participants with a powerful boost to their mental wellbeing.
This Sunday 3 May, 13 Dalmatian puppies will be heading their way to The Woods in Chapel Allerton from 1-2pm for all your cuddling needs.
So get ready for cuddles, snuggles, wagging tails and plenty of spots.
Here's what Pooch Therapy say about the event: "These sessions aren’t just cute, they’re purposeful too. You’ll be helping the puppies through their final stages of socialisation before they head off to their forever homes, while giving yourself a moment to switch off, reset, and soak up some seriously wholesome energy.
"Participants in our sessions enjoy the scientifically backed benefits of animal-assisted therapy. Interacting with playful, affectionate puppies helps reduce stress, elevate serotonin and dopamine levels, and promote an overall sense of calm and happiness.
"Each public event is thoughtfully planned 2-7 weeks in advance to ensure a safe, enriching environment for both the puppies and participants. In addition, we run private events, from care homes, corporates to pop-stars dressing rooms, we deliver moments of joy, connection and wellbeing wherever we go."
Jarvis Cocker and Kim Sion to curate special art exhibition titled ‘The Hodge Podge’ at The Hepworth Wakefield
Clementine Hall
The Hepworth Wakefield is joining forces with Jarvis Cocker and his wife Kim Sion to create a one-of-a-kind art exhibition.
And it's got the best name ever, titled 'The Hodge Podge'.
This exciting new exhibition (opening in May 2027) will include artists who have challenged mainstream ideas about what can be considered 'art'.
It will invite unlikely conversations between artists such as Jeremy Deller, Peter Doig, Barbara Hepworth, Klara Kristalova, Emma Kunz, Mark Leckey and Agnes Pelton, as well as unknown outsider and visionary artists never exhibited before in UK public museums.
Focusing on alternative means of expression, the structures of class and how communities are able to come together outside of religious or high-brow contexts, Cocker and Sion are keen to explore alternative spiritualities, psychedelia, fandom, dreams, poetry and music.
Laura Smith, Artistic Director of The Hepworth Wakefield comments: "Jarvis Cocker has a long-held interest in art, attending St Martin’s College of Art & Design in the early 1990s, and as a Yorkshireman, felt like the ideal person to work with to consider a fresh way of thinking about and experiencing art.
"The art that he and Kim have gathered together in The Hodge Podge will encourage the feelings of joy, marvel and curiosity that great works of art can inspire and offer our audiences an expanded idea of creativity and community. We are thrilled to be working with Jarvis and Kim on this incredibly exciting exhibition."
In Cocker and Sion’s The Hodge Podge Manifesto, the couple state that te exhibition provides ‘an opportunity to understand where that creative urge comes from and what it can do for you… You’d be a fool to miss it.’
Tickets for The Hodge Podge: Jarvis Cocker & Kim Sion curate The Hepworth Wakefield go on sale later this year and you can find them here.
Georgina Pellant -
13th May 2022 
