Diversity consultant claims she was axed by Sellafield nuclear plant when she pointed out ‘vile’ homophobic abuse, bullying and sexual harassment, tribunal hears
- Alison McDermott was contracted to look into equality, diversity and inclusion
- Worked at the Sellafield nuclear site in Seascale, Cumbria, in September 2018
- Said reports of ‘appalling’ harassment not formally investigated by company
Sellafield staff complained of ‘vile’ homophobic abuse, bullying and sexual harassment but were too scared to raise the issues with bosses, a tribunal has heard.
Alison McDermott was a HR consultant employed at the nuclear site in Seascale, Cumbria, in September 2018 to look into its record on equality, diversity and inclusion.
She said reports of ‘appalling’ harassment based on sexual orientation were not formally investigated and employees were too scared to raise issues.
Ms McDermott also claimed a manager who was champion for diversity was herself accused of intimidating behaviour and using profanities.
Ms McDermott has taken Sellafield, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and HR director Heather Roberts to an employment tribunal after she claims her contract was terminated when she blew the whistle on allegations of workplace harassment.
Alison McDermott (pictured) was employed at the nuclear site in Seascale, Cumbria, in September 2018 to look into equality, diversity and inclusion
On Thursday, she told the hearing in Leeds an anonymous report which alleged sexual harassment was shared with a member of staff who told her: ‘Everybody knows the guy’s a creep and nothing is ever done.’
The tribunal heard Ms McDermott had a meeting with two employees who recounted examples of homophobic abuse at the nuclear fuel reprocessing and decommissioning site.
She said: ‘I thought the comments were so vile and so concerning that I thought if the company doesn’t take action on this, what will it take action on.’
One of the employees reported being subjected to homophobic comments because a relative was gay, Ms McDermott told the hearing.
But she said the matter was not investigated because the employees did not want to take matters further.
Ms McDermott told the tribunal: ‘They said they felt uncomfortable doing so and they didn’t believe that there was an environment that was safe to do so.’
She said she spoke to her client manager Lesley Bowen over the telephone and told her a formal investigation should be undertaken.
Ms Bowen, who the tribunal heard was in charge of championing equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the workplace, was also accused of bullying by another member of staff, Ms McDermott said.
One of the employees reported being subjected to homophobic comments because a relative was gay, Ms McDermott told the hearing. Pictured, Sellafield
She said she had advised Ms Roberts a formal investigation should be carried out in relation to those allegations.
Ms McDermott added: ‘I thought it was very concerning that Lesley Bowen, who is championing EDI, has been accused of intimidating behaviour and the use of profanities and that none of the lead team intervened to stop it.’
She also alleged concerns were raised about the care being offered to an employee who was off sick and suicidal and said people in the organisation were ‘scared’ to raise issues and grievances.
Deshpal Panesar QC, representing Sellafield and Ms Roberts, suggested Ms McDermott was changing her case to suit her purpose and accused her of ‘self-serving fabrications’.
At one point during the hearing, Ms McDermott appeared to become emotional and requested a break in proceedings after being asked to clarify events which had not been mentioned in her witness statement.
She said there had been ‘massive inequality of arms’ throughout the employment tribunal process and for much of the time she had not been legally represented.
The tribunal is expected to last three weeks.