Yahoo Finance UK insurance giant bans all employees from drinking during office hours
Scandal-plagued insurance firm, Lloyd’s of London has extended its alcohol ban to prevent all workers entering its London building from drinking between 9am and 5pm.
The ban comes after a Bloomberg report alleging a “deep-seated” culture of sexual harassment and drinking was rife at the 331-year-old firm.
The report said women considered the sexual harassment to be persistent, while drinking at Lloyd’s wasn’t only tolerated but expected.
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Responding at the time, Lloyd’s CEO John Neal described the reports as “distressing”.
“No one should be subjected to this sort of behaviour, and if it does happen, everyone has the right to be heard and for those responsible to be held to account,” he said.
Now, reports the BBC, the insurance firm has taken its response a step further, banning all workers and contractors from drinking between 9am and 5pm.
Lloyd’s had introduced a ban preventing its 800 direct employees from drinking during office hours two years ago, with this move now incorporating the 40,000 pass holders who have access to the London building.
And according to the BBC reports, this means anyone who appears to be under the influence will be barred from the building and potentially lose their pass.
Additionally, the on-site bar will convert into a coffee shop, and Lloyd’s of London will introduce lifetime bans for those found guilty of sexual harassment.
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