Gay employee wins £120,000 at tribunal after being bullied about his sexuality

21 September 2007

A gay employee who lasted just eight days in his job after being bullied about his sexuality has won almost £120,000 compensation in an employment tribunal.

Jonah Ditton, a media sales manager at CP Publishing Ltd, was awarded the largest ever compensation to date under the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003, for discrimination on the grounds of his sexual orientation. The tribunal found that Ditton's boss, Warren Paul, "overtly abused and humiliated him on the grounds of his sexual orientation." Ditton was sacked after just 8 days of being with CP Publishing.

The tribunal found that "the conduct of the respondent was high-handed, malicious, insulting and oppressive" adding that "the manner of his dismissal was humiliating and degrading."

Mr. Ditton was awarded compensation comprising £10,000 injury to feelings, £76,937 for loss of earnings, and £5,291 interest. As the employer failed to follow the statutory dispute procedures the tribunal uplifted the award by 30% - an additional £26,081. The previous highest reported award for discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation was £37,500. Discrimination awards are uncapped and for sex and race claims the highest
awards have been in excess of £1m.

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