HOPPING MAD AT JOB JIBE Lecturer in tribunal win
AN autistic uni lecturer a boss described as “mad as a box of frogs” has won a discrimination claim.
Elizabeth Aylott raised concerns after feeling “overloaded” and suffering panic attacks as she did up to 60 hours a week.
A hearing was told there was a “long hours” culture at BPP University.
But manager Juliette Wagner dismissed her concerns and said she was as “mad as a box of frogs but a good worker”.
Judge Timothy Adkin ruled the comment “inappropriate and unprofessional”.
The hearing was told Mrs Aylott, who specialises in HR and employment law, was also driven to drink by her treatment at the private London university.
She admitted drinking three glasses of wine to help her “stop work and sleep” and was later having “four to five gin and tonics
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THESE notso-wise owls are proof that if you overdo your night out, you’re gurner regret it.
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The nocturnal birds were snapped looking dazed, confused or simply too sleepy in the morning light to give a real hoot. a night to self-medicate”. She asked another boss, Steven Shaw, to have her referred to a medical professional. But he brushed off her stress as just “her perception” and considered long hours “normal”.
The London Central Employment Tribunal was told Mrs Aylott’s autistic spectrum disorder was undiagnosed until after she resigned aged 50, having been signed off with depression and anxiety.
She said: “I believe I was treated differently as my issue was a mental health issue. I was relying on alcohol to support me.”
The judge criticised the university for its “surprising” failure to help its employee.
Mrs Aylott, who sued for disability discrimination and constructive unfair dismissal, will be given damages next month.