Successful race discrimination claim against NHS Trust

Leigh Day & Co has recently acted for Judy Williams in her successful race discrimination claim against Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust.

Judy was dismissed from the Trust in 2008 but the decision was later overturned on appeal.  At a meeting in July 2010 to discuss Judy’s return to work the Trust’s Associate Director of Human Resources stated that she was going to use a phrase that was not politically correct and then drew a parallel between Judy returning to work for the Trust and a “Jew working for the Gestapo”.  This offensive and inappropriate comment caused particular injury to Judy’s feelings as the Trust was aware that she was Jewish. 

UNISON, Judy’s trade union, instructed and funded us to assist her with her race discrimination claim.  We lodged the claim in October 2010.  Attempts at early resolution were unsuccessful as we could not reach agreement with the Trust’s representatives on suggested wording for a draft apology.

In February 2011 the Trust admitted that it had unlawfully harassed and victimised Judy.  The case proceeded to a Remedies Hearing at Manchester Employment Tribunal and on 18 February 2011 Employment Judge Hewitt announced that the Tribunal had reached the unanimous decision that Judy had been unlawfully discriminated against by the Trust contrary to the Race Relations Act 1976.  The Tribunal decided to award £4,500.00 to Judy for injury to her feelings.

To date, Judy has not received an apology from the Trust.

Judy’s case has received widespread coverage in the news.  

Judy was represented by Chris Benson, employment partner at Leigh Day.  Please contact Chris for more information on 020 7650 1200.

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