An Employment Tribunal has awarded a lesbian couple aggravated damages in a case of sexual orientation discrimination brought against Future Arts Limited, a not for profit social enterprise organisation.
It was revealed last week that Leeds Employment Tribunal awarded former Chief Executive, Paula Temple and her partner, Stefanie Boulila, £58,714 and £22,840 respectively, following “cruel, oppressive and malicious” conduct by several board members of the organisation.
Commenting on the case, Sarah Edwards, of Minster Law Solicitors, said:
“Awards for aggravated damages are not common but the Tribunal found that if ever a case warranted an award of aggravated damages then this was it.
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“Despite only 610 claims for sexual orientation discrimination being made in the Tribunal last year, of which only 20 were successful at a hearing, this claim demonstrates that discrimination because of sexual orientation does still happen in the workplace.”
She added:
“The outcome should give confidence to employees that their claims will be taken seriously.”
