Boss referred to trans employee as ‘it’ and said ‘not another one’ when she decided to transition
A boss was accused of referring to a transgender staff member as “it”, a tribunal has heard.
The former managing director of Bodnant Welsh Food Chris Morton was also accused of saying “not another one”, when the staff member announced that she would transition.
The tribunal, heard after complaints from the anonymous staff member only referred to as “A”, heard that Morton made “shocking comments”.
Former head of human resources at the business Jackie Atkinson brought the discrimination case, which was heard in Mold, Flintshire, reports the BBC.
Morton said he was surprised to have received the complaint against him which alleged bullying.
But the tribunal heard that the boss had made “shocking comments”, including referring to A as “it”.
The panel heard that when a meeting was called to discuss A’s transition, Morton put his head and his hands and said “not another one”.
He admitted to the tribunal that he had emailed Ms Atkinson asking for three possible options to sack A, but that he was told there were none.
Speaking to the tribunal, Morton said he had not made the comments because A is trans, but because of “all the fuss and pantomime” around transitioning.
He also admitted using the term “feminist wittering” towards Ms Atkinson when she made a suggestion at a thought shower session.
Judgement in the case has been reserved for a later date.
