Pub boss watched cleaner ‘like a hawk’ and shouted at her on a every week

A pub cleaner who was subjected to degrading harassment and constant intimidation by her boss has won a discrimination case after taking her employer to an employment tribunal.

Pub Cleaner Felt “Watched Like a Hawk” by Boss

Sarah Hopley started working at the Rishton Arms in November 2021 after responding to a job advert inside the pub. She was offered the job on the spot by manager Tracey Chippendale, who described the pub as a “friendly place.”

Hopley worked six hours a week at the Thwaites-run pub, owned by landlord Pete Jackson, and initially found the job made her feel confident and happy again. However, within a month, her manager’s attitude took a drastic turn.

Verbal Abuse and Constant Criticism

• December 2021: Chippendale began making sarcastic remarks about Hopley’s ongoing neck pain, including a humiliating comment at the pub’s Christmas party, questioning whether she could even enjoy a night out “with her pain.”
• June 2022: Chippendale’s behavior escalated, with the manager shouting at Hopley during every shift and criticizing her over minor mistakes.
• Hopley stayed late after work to triple-check that everything was cleaned properly, but she would still receive angry phone calls at home from Chippendale, berating her about her performance.
• Chippendale once called her “useless” and laughed when she tripped over a hoover.

The treatment left Hopley in tears regularly, but she continued her job, determined to make a good impression.

Sudden Dismissal and Tribunal Case

On January 14, 2023, while cleaning the pub toilets, Chippendale abruptly fired Hopley, telling her:

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“I am going to have to let you go, we don’t need you anymore.”

Feeling unfairly treated, Hopley took legal action against Pete Jackson’s Rishton Pub Company Limited, filing a claim for harassment and discrimination.

Tribunal Ruling: Harassment Due to Disability Discrimination

Last month, Employment Judge Aspinall ruled that Hopley had been harassed and discriminated against because of her disability. The tribunal concluded that:

• Chippendale’s shouting and constant criticism violated Hopley’s dignity.
• It created an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating, and offensive work environment.

The tribunal also ordered the company to pay outstanding holiday pay and will hold a further hearing to determine compensation for injury to feelings and any financial losses suffered due to the discrimination.

This case highlights the serious consequences of workplace bullying and discrimination, especially when linked to disabilities or health conditions. The tribunal’s decision sends a clear message that employees should not have to endure harassment and that employers must uphold fair and respectful treatment in the workplace.

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