Go Ahead London has been ordered to pay a woman bus driver more than £55,000 after she successfully complained of sex harassment by nearly 500 male drivers.
The 47-year-old woman, who cannot be named, had worked at Northumberland Park depot since 2013 and complained that she suffered upsetting and violating remarks every day for more than two years. The depot employs 500 drivers – 90% men – Watford Employment Tribunal heard.
The tribunal heard that she became so upset by sexual verbal remarks that she sent an email to nearly 500 male drivers at the depot complaining about their alleged behaviour.
The email was said to have been “robust and well written” and contained some of the offensive remarks allegedly made against her.
“I do not wish to be the recipient of comments which have sexual undertones to them,” she wrote and warned she would make formal complaints “if there was any recurrence.”
She also stated that she did not wish to be touched or even socially by a peck on the cheek, adding “Keep your hands and thoughts to yourselves.”
Go-Ahead told the tribunal that some drivers regarded the email as offensive and the management told her the email was unacceptable.
She was suspended from using company emails and Go-Ahead issued a notice to all employees reminding them about “dignity at work.”
The woman eventually admitted she should not have sent the email to everyone, but had done so when in a “low state and dark place.”
She later resigned – prompting her legal claim for constructive unfair dismissal.
Judge Lewis: “We find that each remark constituted conduct of a sexual nature which had the purpose, or effect, of violating the claimant’s dignity or creating an environment for her which was intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive.”
He awarded her £55,167 – including £23,612 for constructive unfair dismissal and £17,000 for injury to feelings. Some of the award includes interest at 8%.
