Former Premier League PA makes discrimination claim in Employment Tribunal
A former PA at the Premier League has made claims for gender-related harassment and sex discrimination in the Employment Tribunal after alleging that the organisation is “institutionally sexist”.
Rani Abraham, 41, made the claims to the Central London Employment Tribunal after she read emails between Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore and his associates, with some of these emails making reference to “g**h” and “big-titted broads”.
Ms Abraham has stated in pleadings that she is making claims for gender-related harassment and sex discrimination and is seeking compensation for loss of earnings and injury to feelings, including extra awards for aggravated damages and exemplary damages. She is claiming that the nature of these emails offended her and that she was treated less favourably than male employees at the organisation. She is also claiming that the chief executive of the Premier League attempted to smear her reputation by publicly stating that she had accessed his private emails against his instructions
Ms Abraham commented on her claim: “On discovering the sexist emails in the course of my work I was offended and disgusted. I could not believe I had read them correctly. I found it disgusting, vulgar and disrespectful to women.”
The Premier League released the following statement on its website in response to the claim: “The Premier League would resist strongly any such claims. It would be inappropriate to comment further as there is an investigation by the Information Commissioner’s Office and the police into the unauthorised removal of confidential business and legally privileged material.”
Chris Hadrill, a specialist employment law solicitor at Redmans Solicitors, commented on the allegations: “Claims for aggravated damages and exemplary damages in the Employment Tribunal are rare, particularly so for exemplary damages. Exemplary damages are awarded – as a matter of law – in cases where an employer’s conduct is calculated to make a profit which could exceed any compensation otherwise payable to a Claimant or where there has been oppressive or arbitrary action by the employer. We will have to wait and see what happens with this case.”
The Employment Tribunal case continues.