Woman wins constructive dismissal and sex discrimination case

A female worker has won an employment tribunal on the grounds of sex discrimination and constructive dismissal in Chesterfield.

Angela Ashby, who worked for Cathelco in the sales department, left her job because of the "laddish culture" in the workplace.

Manager Peter Smith was said to encourage the atmosphere among male colleagues and allow workers to watching pornography at their desks.

Workers were also permitted to make lewd comments, while Mr Smith allegedly chased women around the office before spanking them on his knee.

"Pete Smith also used to sit female staff on his knee and stroke their hair and he would stand behind their chairs to do the same," Ms Ashby told the court. "I found it disconcerting and uncomfortable.”

Ms Ashby also claimed that she had been subject to cruel jokes about her weight and had to take anti-depressants to cope with the bullying.

Moreover, she was isolated by her colleagues and excluded from office conversations.

At the tribunal, the judge found in favour of Ms Ashby, although Cathelco denied the allegations.

Published by Tessa Jones