Female chef wins sex discrimination claim
The only female chef working for caterers at the London offices of Express Newspapers suffered ridicule and derogatory comments from her male colleagues, an industrial tribunal in Croydon decided last week.
Rachael Considine, 24, of Lewisham, south-east London, won her claim of sexual discrimination against Stirlingshire-based CCG Services, which operates the restaurant, cafeteria and bar at the Express building.
Mr Ian Lamb, the tribunal chairman, said that in several respects Miss Considine had been treated "differently and less favourably than her male colleagues".
"She was treated more strictly and subjected to derogatory remarks that made her feel uncomfortable," he added.
He said that the dismissal itself, when she was asked into the head chef's office and could not avoid seeing a girlie calendar behind him, was also treatment which was less favourable to her on the grounds of sex. "The respondents said they had dismissed her on the basis of her work performance but we are not satisfied that was the real reason or the proper basis for it," said Mr Lamb.
Awarding Miss Considine damages of nearly £2,000, Mr Lamb commented: "Ridicule was heaped upon her in her job. It was damaging to her professional reputation and her pride."
The award was made up of £1,500 for injured feelings and £420 for three weeks' pay.
Miss Considine told the tribunal that the four other chefs she worked with at the Express building from November 1993 to March 1994 told sexist jokes in front of her. When they had a night out together they would discuss their "amorous conquests" at work the next day.
Staff meetings would be held in the men's changing rooms and to take part she would have to sit by the door which would be wedged open.
Her overalls had to be clean every day, while her colleagues could get away with wearing the same overalls for more than one day, she claimed.
They did not allow her to earn overtime money by working a night shift on her own, preferring to bring in casual agency staff.
Miss Considine, who earned £5.50 an hour as a commis chef and took home about £140 a week, found other employment a month after being dismissed by CCG Catering Services. She is now a sous chef at the Spreadeagle restaurant in Greenwich.
"I'm delighted with the result," she said afterwards. "After the hearing CCG wanted me to settle out of court in respect of damages but I preferred that the tribunal order them to pay me compensation. I'm thrilled the tribunal has cleared my name."
CCG chairman Mr Frank Bell told Caterer this week: "We are horrified at the findings. We endeavour to be fair and just to all our staff. We will look at our procedures and hold a thorough investigation."
