Settlement in Amy Betts-Priddy race discrimination case

Published: 1 April 2010
by JOSIE HINTON

A CONSULTANT who told an employment tribunal she was forced to work in a “degrading, humiliating and hostile” environment because she was a black woman has won an out-of-court settlement.

The New Journal reported last week how Amy Betts-Priddy, of Lowfield Road, West Hampstead, alleged she was subject to racial and sexual harassment by her bosses at global construction company Turner & Townsend. 

Ms Betts-Priddy was made redundant last June after working in the firm’s contract services department for nearly four years. She brought a case for unfair dismissal, racial discrimination and sex discrimination against the company and her bosses Stuart Hardy and John Boultwood.

But after five days of evidence from both parties, Turner & Townsend offered Ms Betts-Priddy an undisclosed sum. Her solicitor, Sarah Empson, said: “I am unable to say any more without the permission of my client.”  

During the tribunal directors at the company rejected Ms Betts-­Priddy’s claims that they treated her differently from other employees because of their “unacceptable and racist” views.

During tribunal, which began at Victory House in Holborn last Monday, Ms Betts-Priddy told a panel of judges how Mr Hardy, a director in the contract services department, offended her with derogatory statements about her native Africa. 

But speaking on Thursday, Mr Hardy said he “could not recall” the allegation, adding that he was not in a position to deny it.

“I have no recollection of the event so how can I deny something I don't recall ever having said? It’s a conundrum,” he added.

Ms Betts-Priddy also told the panel Mr Hardy asked why she wasn't “married off and at home”. Mr Hardy said he could not recall this allegation either.

Mr Hardy also responded to allegations that Ms Betts-Priddy was forced to work without a desk. He told the panel a policy of hot-desking applied across the ­London office “irrelevant of race or sex.” He also denied she was the only person to be given extra administrative duties on top of her workload.

Ms Betts-Priddy was selected as one of five staff being considered for redundancy, four of whom were women and all five from ethnic minorities. She was made redundant after receiving the lowest score of all five employees, including a woman who had been working as a consultant for just five months after being promoted from PA level.

Ms Betts-Priddy told the hearing: “It was no surprise that as a black female I was the one to score the lowest mark.”