A former local authority employee who was harassed and fired because she complained that proper procedure had not been followed in the appointment of new management will receive a compensation payout of £442,466.
Pauline Scanlon, who worked as an equalities officer for Redcar and Cleveland Council, complained that the course of action undertaken for filling the position had breached equal opportunities policy because the job had not been advertised.
She made a compensation claim against the council – which has offices in several locations, including South Bank and Guisborough – after she was initially suspended from work and eventually unfairly dismissed in August 2004.
The 45-year-old was being paid a salary of £25,000 when she was sacked.
Ms Scanlon said: “While I am delighted to have won the case and am relieved it is all over, it does not take away the fact that my career has been destroyed.”
She added that the council had ruined her reputation.
Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council have said they are taking legal advice over the amount of compensation awarded.
