Cora worked as a technician in a laboratory. Within a month of her commencing her role, she was subjected to continuous sexual harassment by a male colleague which escalated to a sexual assault in the workplace. Cora raised a grievance, but this was rejected by her employer, and her working relationship with management deteriorated as a result.
Cora subsequently resigned from her role due to the toxic work environment and the impact that the treatment she was suffering was having upon her mental health.
Cora contacted McCartan Turkington Breen after she had lodged a claim at the Employment Tribunal, and she was advised by John McShane to lodge additional proceedings at the High Court for personal injury arising from her ex-employer’s actions and the actions of their employees. This was a tactical litigation decision in which the Tribunal proceedings were “stayed” for the High Court proceedings to progress.
When Cora instructed McCartan Turkington Breen, High Court proceedings were issued, and an application was submitted to “stay” the Employment Tribunal proceedings. The High Court claim was managed meticulously, including the provision of further information and discovery, financial loss and hearing preparation.
Cora’s former employer did defend matters as expected. However, our strategy to lodge proceedings at both the Employment Tribunal and the High Court concurrently presented her ex-employer with significant difficulties in terms of adverse costs, media exposure and substantial damages.
Prior to commencement of the High Court trial, Cora’s ex-employer reached out to us in an attempt to negotiate and settle this matter, including the Employment Tribunal proceedings.
This matter was settled in the sum of £75,000.
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The name referenced throughout this case study is a pseudonym that has been put in place to protect the client’s privacy.
