An article in the Birmingham Mail [2 May 2014] reports that an RAF nurse, Group Captain Wendy Williams, who treated wounded soldiers at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital, has been awarded £560,000 after a successful sex discrimination claim against the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Williams complained she was not selected for the position of Commodore in the Defence Medical Group because she was a woman. She told the tribunal: “It was apparent the promotion process was stacked against me as a nurse and midwife.” The tribunal also heard that only six of 470 top positions among the Armed Forces medical staff had been held by women between 2011 and 2012 and Williams claimed a male group captain got the ‘top medical job’ instead of her. At the remedies hearing Williams was awarded £557,038 in compensation, which includes £204,079 for loss of earnings, £105,585 pension loss and £22,000 for injury to feelings, plus more than £500 interest. The tribunal also made several recommendations to the MoD, including that those involved in promotion of recruitment should receive more training in equality and diversity.
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This provides summary information and comment on the subject areas covered. Where employment tribunal and appellate court cases are reported, the information does not set out all of the facts, the legal arguments presented and the judgments made in every aspect of the case. Employment law is subject to constant change either by statute or by interpretation by the courts. While every care has been taken in compiling this information, we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Specialist legal advice must be taken on any legal issues that may arise before embarking upon any formal course of action.
