Bullying claim dismissed by tribunal panel

Oct 23 2010 by Amy Hunt, The Journal

CLAIMS of bullying in a struggling art organisation have been dismissed by a tribunal panel.

Liping Mak had claimed constructive dismissal from Waygood Galleries in Newcastle, saying she was forced to resign following a series of run-ins with her boss.

But a tribunal panel ruled in favour of Waygood, saying it was not because of the organisation’s actions Ms Mak chose to resign.

Ms Mak had complained that Waygood chief executive Helen Smith made her working life a misery over an 18-month period, with aggressive and unreasonable outbursts.

She said she was signed off sick by her doctor after developing a severe case of eczema on her face and body.

She also claimed the board of the organisation did not thoroughly investigate her grievance which accused Ms Smith of bullying, because they were her friends.

And she said her bullying claim was not investigated as thoroughly as a similar allegation made by Ms Smith against another employee.

Waygood did not defend itself at the tribunal hearing earlier this month because the company is on the verge of liquidation.

But tribunal judge Ian Truscott has ruled bosses at Waygood had tried to help Ms Mak to return to work and found that board members Ivor Stolliday and Helen Baker-Alder who investigated the grievance and appeal were “sympathetic to the claimant’s position” and expressed “great regret” at the situation.