Calling women ‘birds’ is sexual harassment, judge rules
Calling women “birds” at work is sexual harassment, a judge has ruled.
The judgment came in the case of a high-end whisky investment company which has been ordered to pay more than £50,000 in compensation to a female staff member who complained about the language used by her colleagues.
Nina Chung claimed at an employment tribunal that her co-workers at Whisky 1901, opposite Harrods in Knightsbridge, London, called women “birds” and boasted about their “sexual conquests”.
She was also asked if she was planning on getting pregnant by a colleague, who, in another incident, locked her out of the company’s office, the tribunal heard.
Employment Judge Pavel Klimov ruled that her complaints amounted to sex harassment.
Ms Chung eventually resigned from Whisky 1901 and has now successfully sued them for discrimination, sexual harassment, victimisation and breach of contract.
The hearing in central London was told the incidents took place between August and November 2022.
‘Derogatory comments’
Judge Kilimov said that Ms Chung’s colleague Robin Sidhu had asked her if she was planning on getting pregnant in August, and then locked her out of the office in September.
Addressing other behaviour at the company, he described “employees making derogatory comments about women, such as ‘birds’, and boasting of sexual conquests”.
Speaking after the tribunal, Whisky 1901 said it was appealing the decision.
“The appropriate grievance and disciplinary processes and procedures were followed in regard to this matter,” a spokesman said.
“This included seeking independent advice from a well-known HR consultancy firm.
“We actively encourage diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and take matters of this nature very seriously.”
Whisky 1901 was founded in 2019 to help people invest in casks of rare Scotch whiskies, a similar form of investing to buying gold or fine wine.
On its website, the company said casks start at £5,000 but are typically in the £30,000 to £50,000 range and they advise waiting at least 10 years before bottling or selling on a cask.