CALLING a female work colleague “love” or “hun” is demeaning, a judge ruled yesterday.

       But men can be dubbed “lad” or “mate” as they are deemed nicknames.

       1

       Mike Hartley vetted job applicants on whether they were 'hot' or 'fit'

       Judge Pauline Feeney said: “Calling someone ‘mate’ or ‘lad’ is not a pet name. In our opinion it’s a nickname. They’re not demeaning.

       “However, chick, babes, bobs, honey, hun and sweetie are all demeaning and infantilising ways of referring to women.”

       Her comments came as funeral home boss Mike Hartley lost an appeal against his sacking.

       A hearing in Manchester was told he made “unacceptable” remarks to colleague Rachel Anderton.

       Married Hartley, in his 40s, allegedly asked about her “vital statistics”.

       Ms Anderton, also complained that he once called her “Rachi-boobies”. Other staff claimed he vetted job applicants on whether they were “hot” or “fit”.

       Most read in The Sun

       PM'S GRIEF Boris Johnson's mum dies 'suddenly and peacefully' in hospital aged 79

       RAGE ROVER Moment stolen Range Rover rams BMW with 2 kids inside and smashes 12 parked cars

       LISA UNLEASHED Angry Lisa Armstrong lashes out at ex Ant McPartlin's team after NTAs win

       FULL-TIME WIFE If more women looked after their men like I do they wouldn't get divorced

       Pictured

       MAMA MIA Ronaldo, Georgina Rodriguez and his mum eat at Italian chain after Man Utd return

       ROAD SAGE Drivers face ￡1k fine if caught breaking new road rule - don’t get caught out

       Hartley denied the allegations but was fired last year.

       The panel found the firm in Blackpool had failed to follow proper process and ruled he had been unfairly dismissed.

       But it said it was right to fire him, and refused him compensation. It also threw out his sex discrimination claim.

       Strictly's Giovanni and girlfriend Maura Higgins reveal cute nicknames for each other as they go bowling on date night