Sainsbury's worker in fight for compensation
A SAINSBURY’S worker is seeking compensation from the superstore after criticising its working conditions at a Midland outlet.
Maleka Bibi-Hudson, a transport manager, claims she suffered race and sex discrimination, unfair dismissal and discrimination on the grounds of religion at the company’s Coleshill store.
Birmingham Employment Tribunal was told she produced a document which criticised working conditions there.
She is applying for temporary reinstatement of her job with Sainsbury’s before starting her full tribunal against the firm at a later date.
Mrs Bibi-Hudson was said to have helped organise deliveries for 300 drivers at the Sainsbury’s Coleshill Store.
She alleged she was dismissed because her document criticised the way the store was being run. She had also suggested how it could be improved.
Jonathan Meakin, representing the firm, denied staff had been put under stress.
He also denied Mrs Bibi-Hudson had been bullied and discriminated against and opposed her claim for temporary reinstatement.
“Mrs Bibi-Hudson’s comments, in her document, were not malicious, but some staff members were upset and offended and felt they had been undermined,” said Mr Meakin.
“Mrs Bibi-Hudson made reference in the document to a ‘wicked old queen bee’ and the mention of a new queen bee being needed.
“Mrs Bibi-Hudson denied the new queen bee would be her.
“The point is that Mrs Bibi-Hudson appears to have gone for everything in her compensation claims to see what sticks.”
Tribunal Judge Alan McCarry rejected the claim for temporary reinstatement.
He said that her compensation claims for race and sex discrimination, unfair dismissal and discrimination on the grounds of religion would go ahead later this year.
