First sexual orientation case decided

A manager who was persistently subjected to homophobic taunts has become the first person to be awarded compensation under the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003.

Rob Whitfield told an employment tribunal he had been forced out of his job at Cleanaway Ltd after repeated verbal abuse from senior staff about being homosexual.

The employment tribunal awarded Mr Whitfield £35,345 for unfair dismissal, harassment and direct discrimination. It stressed the persistent and serious nature of the comments and criticised the company's failure to deal with the problem.

    •  Tribunal awards £35,000 in sexual orientation case   Mike Berry of Personnel Today reports.
  • Stonewall welcomes employment tribunal verdict   Gay rights campaign Stonewall gives its reaction to the decision, on its website.

    Also

    British Council is UK's most gay-friendly employer   IRS journal Equal Opportunities Review reports on gay lobby group Stonewall's Corporate Equality Index.

    Sexual orientation discrimination: the basics   HR & Compliance Centre's employment law reference manual provides guidance on sexual orientation discrimination.

    TUC issues advice on how to monitor for sexual orientation   The TUC has issued guidelines setting out the steps it believes employers should take when monitoring their workers for sexual orientation and gender identity.