It’s the end of the traditional office emailed jokes as we know it – new equality laws, which have recently come into force, means a dizzying range of rights to protect workers.

There are a variety of provisions which have been set in place, which include vegans, teetotallers and atheists being given protection against discrimination in the same that religious groups are protected. Third Party Harassment provisions also mean that workers will be supported if they wish to sue over banter in the office that they find offensive – even if it is not aimed at them or indeed if they weren’t present when the banter took place. While employees have the right to feel safe at work it’s a worrying turn of events, which will leave every UK company open to discrimination claims over events that previously would not have been accepted. Staff who feel intimidated or find something offensive will be able to sue – meaning there’s little opportunity for an employer to discipline staff and ensure it doesn’t happen again. By law employers will also no longer be able to ask about your health when you’re applying for a job