Manager jointly liable with employer

Miles v Gilbank EAT TLR 16 November

The employee was the senior hair designer and trainee manager of Quality Hairdressing Ltd. When the employee became pregnant, she was subjected to a catalogue of behaviour which was vicious, inhumane, and which involved a sustained campaign of bullying and discrimination, led by Maxine Miles, the employer’s manager. The employee was awarded damages amounting to £25,000, which were ordered to be paid both by the employer and Ms Miles. In dismissing Ms Miles’ appeal against both the amount of the award and the finding that she should be jointly and severally liable, the court said that because she had joined in and fostered the culture of discrimination and because she ran the company, it was open to the tribunal to hold her responsible for the behaviour that caused the employee so much distress and make her jointly liable for the damages.