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Postie wins sex bias case
By: Nigel Robinson
Black was awards £2400
Black was awards £2400
A gay postman has been awarded £2,400 after winning a sex bias case.
As previously reported in Pride Life’s gay news section, the openly gay Liam Black was called “bitchy” and “effeminate” by his line manager Warren Taylor.
Black was so distressed by the remarks, which were made at a meeting that he did not attend, that he signed off work with stress, and subsequently resigned.
The employment tribunal in Ashford, Kent making the award ruled that Black’s dignity had been violated.
They emphasised that Black’s line manager was not homophobic, but agreed that the language he used was discriminatory on account of Black’s sexuality.
The tribunal ruled that: “Each of the terms 'effeminate', ‘girly’ and bitchy' are, when used in respect of a man, a direct reference to that man having female characteristics.
"In the context of this case where they are used concerning a man who is known to be homosexual, they are quite clearly derogatory in nature.
"We do not think it likely that [Taylor] would use those three words together in the description of a heterosexual man.
"We are satisfied that the use of those words by Mr. Taylor was on the grounds of sexual orientation.
"We accepted that that conduct was unwanted by Mr. Black and that it had the effect of violating his dignity."
Black was awarded £2,000 for hurt feelings, and £400 because the Royal Mail had not followed the correct procedure after Black had made a formal complaint.
