Does this story resonate with you?
Dr Annette Plaut is of European-Jewish descent (her parents left Germany before the Second World War). At the Tribunal, she claimed to have “inherent characteristics” that included “loudenss” and a “conversational style that involves an argumentative style of discussion involving interruption, and much hand movement”.
In 1990, she joined Exeter University as a lecturer – the only woman in the physics and astronomy department.
She’s passionate about physics, and says that her “natural personality” tends to emerge when she gets engaged in discussions about the topic.
Some colleagues and students labelled her a “Marmite” character, as they felt her boisterous style came across as overbearing (despite her telling them she “means nothing by it”).
After two PhD students claimed she shouted at them, Dr Plaut was suspended from her job in April 2019, and subsequently dismissed.
She made a claim to the Employment Tribunal for:
- Race discrimination
- Sex discrimination
- Victimisation
- Harassment
- Unfair dismissal
The tribunal ruled she was unfairly dismissed and upheld one of the harassment claims.
Dr Plaut was awarded more than £100,000 by way of compensation.
The University of Exeter plans to appeal against the judgement.
What this means to you
Among other things, the amount you receive when you win a case depends on the amount of income you’ve lost and your chances of getting another job.
In the case of Dr Plaut, she’s 60, with no plans to retire. She’d prefer to get her old job back as it will be hard for her to find alternative employment because of her age. Her suspension and dismissal after 30 years therefore led to humiliation, hurt, stress and worry.
If you’re dismissed for no good reason, you can make a claim against your employer, and perhaps win your job back.
Let us know as soon as you can, and we’ll tell you what to do next and your chances of winning. If the case proceeds, we’ll hold your hand all the way through, negotiate with your employer, and help you arrive at the best possible outcome.
We do this all the time – helping employees who have been treated badly. Give us a call and let’s talk about how we could help you too.
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- Can you be sacked before you start work?
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