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| Devon solicitor claims boss ordered her to stay single and childless | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| A solicitor claimed that her bullying boss said he wanted her to stay single and should not have children, an employment tribunal has heard. | A solicitor claimed that her bullying boss said he wanted her to stay single and should not have children, an employment tribunal has heard. |
| Kate Baker, 33, alleged that she was sacked from law firm Follett Stock because of her gender after she formed a relationship. | Kate Baker, 33, alleged that she was sacked from law firm Follett Stock because of her gender after she formed a relationship. |
| In a statement to the tribunal in Exeter she said that her boss Chris Lingard: "on many occasions told me that he did not want me in a relationship or to have babies." | In a statement to the tribunal in Exeter she said that her boss Chris Lingard: "on many occasions told me that he did not want me in a relationship or to have babies." |
| Baker claimed she was also sent a text message from her boss's wife Fiona Higgins, a business director at the firm, which said: "He does say he doesn't want you in a relationship!!!" | Baker claimed she was also sent a text message from her boss's wife Fiona Higgins, a business director at the firm, which said: "He does say he doesn't want you in a relationship!!!" |
| The tribunal heard she was told she was being sacked for making mistakes, but the lawyer said she believed the "true reason" for the dismissal was that she had started a relationship. | The tribunal heard she was told she was being sacked for making mistakes, but the lawyer said she believed the "true reason" for the dismissal was that she had started a relationship. |
| Baker, from Budleigh Salterton, Devon, also claimed that she was expected to undertake weekend marketing activities for the firm because she "was single with no children", unlike her married male partners with families. | Baker, from Budleigh Salterton, Devon, also claimed that she was expected to undertake weekend marketing activities for the firm because she "was single with no children", unlike her married male partners with families. |
| She alleged that Lingard, managing partner of the firm, berated her at a meeting last May, telling her she was "shit". | She alleged that Lingard, managing partner of the firm, berated her at a meeting last May, telling her she was "shit". |
| "He then took to berating me for one-and-a-half hours and attempted to dismiss me by email while I was off sick with work related stress and harassment," she said in her statement to the tribunal judge Christopher Carstairs. | "He then took to berating me for one-and-a-half hours and attempted to dismiss me by email while I was off sick with work related stress and harassment," she said in her statement to the tribunal judge Christopher Carstairs. |
| "I am of the opinion that Mr Lingard believed he lost control when I started a relationship and this was the true reason for dismissal." | "I am of the opinion that Mr Lingard believed he lost control when I started a relationship and this was the true reason for dismissal." |
| Baker alleged there was a culture of bullying at the firm, which included employees not being able to talk for four hours a day. | Baker alleged there was a culture of bullying at the firm, which included employees not being able to talk for four hours a day. |
| Her barrister James Bax claimed that Lingard used her as a "distraction" at meetings where important clients "seemed to like" her appearance. | Her barrister James Bax claimed that Lingard used her as a "distraction" at meetings where important clients "seemed to like" her appearance. |
| Guy Hollebon, representing the firm, denied Baker's claims of bullying and harassment. | Guy Hollebon, representing the firm, denied Baker's claims of bullying and harassment. |
| The tribunal judge ruled that the law firm could file a defence, even though it was after deadline. | The tribunal judge ruled that the law firm could file a defence, even though it was after deadline. |
| A full hearing to hear Baker's claims of sexual harassment, sexual discrimination and unfair dismissal is due to be heard at a later date. | A full hearing to hear Baker's claims of sexual harassment, sexual discrimination and unfair dismissal is due to be heard at a later date. |