Sexist

Sexist Culture At Work Hits Close To £1 Million Penalty

 In line with our policy of bringing employment tribunal results to your attention that stand out from the ordinary, this case marks a new entry into the top awards-the million pound level.

It concerns a female former firearms police officer who has been awarded nearly £1million after she took her old force to employment tribunal over a ‘sexist boys’ club culture’.

PC Rhona Malone, 43, had to put up with ‘horrific’ behaviour from male colleagues in which she and other women were subjected to misogynistic, belittling and abusive behaviour, while images of topless women were posted on the work WhatsApp group.

But when she reported her concerns to Police Scotland bosses she was victimised herself, an employment tribunal ruled.

A joint statement from Ms Malone and the force said a settlement had been agreed which included a payment of £947,909.07.

It added Chief Constable Iain Livingstone had personally apologised to Ms Malone.

The tribunal had heard Ms Malone was told she should not be on patrol without a man and was targeted by bosses after she complained about a sexist ‘boys’ club culture’.

One female commanding officer repeatedly failed to tackle Ms Malone’s complaints because she did not want her career ‘overshadowed’ by allegations of sexism among her staff, the panel concluded.

The tribunal heard the ‘committed’ and ‘exemplary’ officer was left outraged after her boss, Inspector Keith Warhurst, sent an email round banning female officers being paired together, rather than with a man, due to his concerns over the ‘balance of testosterone’.

The panel chaired by Employment Judge Jane Porter found the shocking email was one of many sexist incidents in the firearms division of Police Scotland.

The panel heard one female officer, Sergeant Rachel Coates, was told by a Chief Firearms Instructor that women should not be armed because they get periods and ‘this would affect their temperament’.

The Graham Agency, keeping you informed.