Richardson v Prison Service NIO [2006] NIFET 408_01FET (29 September 2006)

Richardson v Prison Service NIO [2006] NIFET 408_01FET (29 September 2006)

The respondent's failure to follow its own harassment and disciplinary procedures, combined with evidence of bias and poor record-keeping, constituted unlawful discrimination and harassment against the claimant. The explanation provided by the respondent was inadequate to rebut the inference of discrimination. The...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[2006] NIFET 408_01FET
Parties
Claimant: Colin Richardson; Respondent: Prison Service/NIO
Jurisdiction
Northern Ireland
Judgment Date
29 September 2006
Procedural Posture
Fair Employment Tribunal / Final Judgment
Outcome
Claim upheld; compensation awarded
Legal Topics
Victimisation, Harassment, Religious Discrimination, Procedural Failures, Compensation
Employment Law Discrimination Law Victimisation Harassment Religious Discrimination Procedural Failures Compensation

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Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Colin Richardson

Claimant

Prison Service/NIO

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Fair Employment Tribunal / Final Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the respondent discriminated against the claimant on grounds of religious belief and/or political opinion
  2. 2 Whether the respondent failed to adequately investigate and deal with the claimant's complaint
  3. 3 Whether the claimant suffered detriment due to procedural failures

Ratio Decidendi

The respondent's failure to follow its own harassment and disciplinary procedures, combined with evidence of bias and poor record-keeping, constituted unlawful discrimination and harassment against the claimant. The explanation provided by the respondent was inadequate to rebut the inference of discrimination. The claimant suffered detriment, including injury to feelings and psychiatric harm, as a result.

Court Disposition

Claim upheld; compensation awarded

Orders

  • Respondent to pay claimant £5,000.00 for injury to feelings
  • Respondent to pay claimant £5,000.00 for psychiatric injury