A PHARMACY worker mocked by colleagues about her hearing and memory loss was the victim of age discrimination, a tribunal has found.
Sue Walsh was taunted by younger staff who would call out her name in front of customers and then make fun of her when she failed to hear them. They also mocked her for forgetting things and for repeatedly asking the same questions.
Ms Walsh, who was 60 when she worked at St Chad’s chemist in Oldham, Greater Manchester in 2017, sought help from management but was reportedly told to “smile and get on with the job”. She was not referred to HR or to a senior co-director, which would have been usual practice.
As the situation at work deteriorated further, Ms Walsh, who also suffered from osteoarthritis, took sick leave after hurting her back at work. Soon after she returned, she was dismissed.
The tribunal found that Ms Walsh’s attempts to raise concerns about her colleagues’ behaviour were not taken seriously as a formal complaint.
It ruled that Ms Walsh was subjected to disability and age discrimination and the employer failed to provide written particulars of employment. She was awarded a total of £15,649.
Source: www.peoplemanagement.co.uk
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