DEPUTY Prime Minister Angela Rayner has been accused of trying to censor workplace banter by deploying diversity officers in businesses across the UK.

New laws drawn up by Rayner would see firms pressured into employing “diversity officers” to crack down on workplace banter deemed offensive.

These new employees would be tasked with, among other things, protecting staff from the possibly offensive content of overheard conversations.

The Tories branded the officers “banter police” and warned that the they would create a “chilling effect” on businesses.

Under the new Employment Rights Bill employers must try and protect staff from harassment by third parties.

Concerns have been raised that the contents of the bill would see a crackdown on free speech.

It comes after the bill was criticised for potentially preventing football fans from asking the ref “are you blind?”

Lord Young said the bill could see a partially-sighted steward take a club to court if offended by chants.

The bill also means workers could take employers to tribunal if jokes or banter overheard in the office are deemed offensive.

It is expected to cause firms to hire more diversity officers in a bid to prove they have done all they can to protect their workers from offensive banter and shield themselves from potential tribunal cases.

The deputy PMs bill fails to stipulate any ring fence allowing for the expression of opinion on political, moral, religious or social matters.

According to the Mail Online the number of employment tribunal claims relating to banter in the workplace rose by nearly 50 per cent in 2021.

The legislation also requires bosses to allow trade union representatives time off for issues “relating to equality in the workplace.”

Critics have said the bill paves the way to greater unionisation in the workplace.

Rayner’s critics added that the she had received large donations from unions who will directly benefit from the legislation.

The new law will slash the last government’s attempts to stop Whitehall spending taxpayers’ cash on diversity, equality and inclusion.

It is also set to end zero-hours contracts, strengthen redundancy and flexible working rights and allow firms to be taken to tribunals even if employees do not want to sue.

However, the legislation will repeal Tory trade union laws which will reduce the threshold for strike action and make union funding of the Labour party automatic.

Unions will also have an easier time infiltrating workplaces under the new legislation, able to operate with just 2 per cent of a businesses staff joining up.

The Bill says: “Introducing explicit protections from third-party harassment will ensure that victims can be confident that they have recourse to legal redress if their employer has not taken all reasonable steps to protect them.”

A government spokesman said: “The Employment Rights Bill will not affect anyone’s right to lawful free speech, which this Government stands firmly behind. 

“Upsetting remarks do not fall within the definition of harassment.

“We are strengthening workplace protections to tackle harassment and protect employees from intimidating and hostile abuse as well as sexual harassment.”