Equality, diversity and human rights >
Sex discrimination
An employer who told the Employment Service that he wanted job vacancies to be filled by women "because of their nimble fingers", did not attempt to procure an unlawful act, according to a Birmingham industrial tribunal (Chair: A C Tickle) in Equal Opportunities Commission v (1) Storey and Bloor (2) JES Manufacturing Co.
In Bristow v Secretary of State for Defence a London South industrial tribunal (Chair: T J Mason) has expressed doubt about aspects of the guidance given by the EAT in Ministry of Defence v Cannock and others EOR57E on assessing compensation for servicewomen who were dismissed contrary to EC law because of their pregnancy.
A car salesman whose health suffered as a direct result of sex discrimination when he was dismissed because he was a man is awarded £15,000 compensation, including £5,000 for injury to feelings, by a Birmingham industrial tribunal (Chair: J K Macmillan) in Smith v Swithland Motors plc.
In McClenaghan and Rice v British Shoe Corporation Ltd a Belfast industrial tribunal (Chair: E McBride) awards £11,455 compensation, including £8,000 for injury to feelings, to a maternity leaver who suffered "severe depression" following her dismissal when illness prevented her from returning to work within the statutory period.
A woman who was warned that she would have to look for a new job if she didn't alter her hairstyle was unlawfully discriminated against on grounds of sex, rules a Liverpool industrial tribunal (Chair: E Lloyd-Parry) in Gatehouse v Stretton Leisure Ltd.
A petrol station worker who was embarrassed by his manageress using the word "fuck" did not suffer a detriment within the meaning of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, according to a Southampton industrial tribunal (Chair: J Hollow) in Picariello v Star Service Stations Ltd.
In Bishop v The Cooper Group plc a London South industrial tribunal (Chair: E R Donnelly), hearing "alarm bells" when told that the successful male candidates for apprenticeships in a wholly male environment would "fit in", rules that a teenage girl was turned down because of her sex.
A teenage girl who was turned down for an apprenticeship as a garage mechanic is awarded compensation of £24,389, including £3,500 for injury to feelings, by a London South industrial tribunal (Chair: E R Donnelly) in Bishop v The Cooper Group plc.
Compensation of £10,000 has been awarded by a Leeds industrial tribunal (Chair: P A Morris) in Miss A and Miss B v R1 and R2 to each of two employees in respect of injury to feelings resulting from sexual harassment.
In Kamal v Wakefield Health Authority a Leeds industrial tribunal (Chair: J Prophet) has ruled that until new legislation has been enacted, there is no time limits on claims brought under Article 119 of the EC Treaty based on the decision of the House of Lords that the hours-per-week qualifying thresholds under the Employment Protection (Consolidation) Act are incompatible with EC law.
Employment law cases: HR and legal information and guidance relating to sex discrimination.