Sacked young boss branded ‘golden boy’ loses age bias battle

A LINE manager at a factory tried to sue for age discrimination after his older colleagues called him “golden boy”.

Salvatore Lorettu, 33, claimed he was “treated like a child” by older co-workers, who didn’t like working under him after he was promoted.

The Italian-born factory worker said they told him: “You are just a boy,” “You’re not my boss” and “Shut up, child.”

But a tribunal found he didn’t report the comments at the time and only raised them after he was sacked for “belligerent” conduct.

Mr Lorettu made his allegations after he was fired from London-based Globe Trotter Suitcases, which makes high-end luggage for brands such as Gucci.

He claimed he was subjected to age discrimination after being promoted to head of kitting in November 2018 at a factory in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire.

He claimed one colleague repeatedly told him he was “too young” and another told him: “Golden boy, you stole my job.” Mr Lorettu later allegedly became furious over pay rise issues and threatened to strike, leading to a bitter dispute.

He was then suspended after raising his voice at bosses, and sacked in May 2019 after he breached social media policy by posting angry videos online, naming clients including Gucci and Tiffany.

He made no mention of discrimination when he was sacked but later made allegations of sex discrimination, disability discrimination on grounds of his autism, and unfair dismissal.

The discrimination claims were thrown out at Watford Employment Tribunal Centre as they were presented too late and lacked evidence. Mr Lorettu won his claim of unfair dismissal on a technicality as he was not given an appeal hearing.

Judge Manley ruled Mr Lorettu should not be awarded any compensation due to his “belligerent” behaviour. However he was given three weeks pay, £1,191, as a basic award.

‘They said, You are just a boy, and shut up child’