Sting faces big fee after ex-chef wins unfair sacking claim

Sting could pay out record damages for unfairly dismissing his chef.

The singer – real name Gordon Sumner – and his wife Trudie Styler were judged to have broken employment laws by sacking Jane Martin, 41, last April.

In a unanimous verdict, it was ruled Martin was unfairly dismissed on the grounds of her pregnancy and was the victim of sexual discrimination.

Martin’s compensation payout will be decided at a hearing on 8 June. There is no limit on the amount awarded in sexual discrimination cases meaning Sting could be forced to pay record damages for a case involving a domestic servant.

Martin, who worked for the couple for eight years, said she was made to work 14-hour days despite being heavily pregnant.

Once, while seven months pregnant, she claimed she took a train and taxi from Salisbury to London to make soup and a salad for Styler.

She revealed she was also asked to travel to London on several occasions to cook a bowl of pasta for the couple’s youngest child – even though there were two nannies, a butler and two housekeepers in the London household

When Martin fell ill during her pregnancy and took time off work, Styler is alleged to have fumed: “Who the f**k does she think she is? She’s my chef in the UK. She needs to be available if I need her, or she should rethink her position.”

Martin was made redundant after being deemed to be worse than another chef when the pair were assessed on ability, length of service and attendance.

The tribunal described the “scoring” system as a
“sham” saying it was designed to ensure Martin couldn’t win.

Alleged sexual harassment spoils dismissal claim

A lorry loader has lost a compensation claim for unfair dismissal after the Birmingham Employment Tribunal heard allegations that he harassed a woman warehouse manager at a Worcester firm with sexual remarks. The alleged victim, Kate Taylor, was employed by TNT Logistics (UK) at Shire Park, Worcester. The Tribunal was told she was also upset when a magazine with sexual content and a thong were posted to her at work. Mark Elmes, of Kidderminster, had loaded vehicles at the Worcester depot for 20years with an unblemished record. He was accused of harassing Taylor with sexual innuendo and of sending her the magazine and thong. Elmes denied the allegations and alleged he was sacked for gross misconduct because he had raised issues about safety at the depot.He had repeatedly complained about pallets being stacked dangerously and left around in a manner likely to cause accidents the Tribunal heard that this had led the Health and Safety Executive to investigate. Elmes also alleged he had been picked on because he was a Transport & General Workers Union shop steward. During a six-day hearing, driver Jerry Sutton told the Tribunal: “Mark was stitched up because of his efforts to improve safety and because he was a shop steward.” Taylor, who did not give evidence at the hearing, had complained to the management about alleged harassment by Elmes. It was alleged that he made a remark about her cleavage and about the number 69 which was said to have sexual connotations.

The Tribunal was told that when a trailer was driven into the depot Elmes suggested that Taylor could drive the vehicle on his lap, or on the lap of another woman. After Elmes was accused of sending Taylor the magazine and thong he was suspended and eventually dismissed. He denied any involvement. Tribunal chairman Robert Powell said there was some concern about the way the firm had investigated the accusations, but overall the employer had acted within the bounds of reasonable responses. As a result he rejected Elmes’ compensation claim for unfair dismissal. However, he also rejected a claim for costs against Elmes by the firm, which has since sold its contracts business and is now known as Ceva Logistics.