An Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has upheld a ruling that calling a man bald constitutes sex-related harassment. The tribunal found that such comments were unwanted, violated the claimant’s dignity, and created an intimidating atmosphere.

According to LBC, the case was brought by Tony Finn, a 64-year-old electrician, who claimed he had been sexually harassed by his boss during a heated argument in 2019. Finn, who had worked at the British Bung Company for 24 years, was dismissed in 2021 and filed the harassment claim after his supervisor referred to him as a “stupid bald c***.”

The tribunal, comprised of three bald men, noted the clear link between baldness and sex, ruling that the insult was inherently tied to gender, as baldness is more common in men. Judge Jonathan Brain, leading the panel, concluded, “We find it inherently related to sex.”

This landmark ruling highlights that unwanted conduct, including remarks about physical appearance, can be considered sexual harassment if it undermines a person’s dignity or creates a hostile environment.