Real Employment Tribunal Case Worth Knowing About…..

With some claims by employees and former employees of discrimination at Employment Tribunals, one can easily see how an employer crossed the line. However, with some you might think; “Well, that took me by surprise.”

A recent case in Belgium might come under that umbrella. A shop has just been ordered to pay a man 13,000 Euros in damages for refusing to employ him, on the basis that they wanted a “female colleague” as Stock Manager in a dress shop.

The Employment Tribunal made the ruling after seeing an email the shop sent to the man.

The award of €13,289.84 represented some six months’ gross salary in the post that the man wanted. The shop was also ordered to pay one euro to the Institute for Equality between Women and Men (IEFH).

The award of €13,289.84 represents about six months’ gross salary in the post that the man wanted. The shop was also ordered to pay one euro to the Institute for Equality between Women and Men (IEFH).

Although the Tribunal was in Belgium, a judge recently ruled that: “in my judgment once a claimant is seeking to enforce a directly effective EU right, it matters not which national law is applicable to the right in question, provided at least that it is the law of a member state.”

On the basis of this judgement, the same would apply in UK Tribunals.

Once again, this reinforces how careful you, as an employer, should be   when dealing with issues such as employment etc. As always, our advice in such matters is to take appropriate professional advice before making any decisions.

The Graham Agency, keeping you informed.