Office Worker Wins Settlement Over Gassy Boss

Theresa Bailey is a 43 year old mother of three who had the displeasure of working for a man who thought it was acceptable to pass gas in her direction.  Humiliated, Bailey resigned from her position in September.  She was hired in July.  An employment tribunal has now ruled that Bailey was sexually discriminated and the company she worked for, Selectabase in Deal, Kent, must now pay her £5,146.

Bailey accepted a position with the company as a telesales account manager in July, however, the “laddish” behavior within the company made her life so miserable, she was forced to resign by September.  The discrimination and harassment she experience at the office ranged from having a beach ball thrown at her head after she objected to sexist remarks to wearing a badge reading “I’m simple” whenever she had trouble with her computer.  After she complained about the dismal state of the bathrooms, and e-mail was sent to a co-worker stating “That’s why we don’t employ women.”

Bailey sent an e-mail the company director Steve Selwood which read “The number of times the person at my side would lift up his bottom off the chair and fart and think its funny is unreal.  I am no prude but I do think there is a time and a place for that behavior.”

Selectabase denies its employees have ever behaved inappropriately, claiming that they have 12 years of excellent employee relations.