The Exeter tribunal heard how a 6ft 4in tall undertaker, Jon Christophers was “intimidating and bullying”. The tribunal heard that he wanted to replace an older member of staff, Rozamund Perrin, with a “young fit blonde”. This has costed his family run funeral firm £30,000.
Roz Perrin stated at the tribunal, “He [Christophers] dismissed me because he wanted someone younger. He was looking for a fit young blonde.”
Perrin's colleague at F Christophers and Son Ltd, Kate Parsons told the tribunal, “Jon's [Christophers] attitude in the office was that he was above all of us- no please or thank you. It was his way or no way. He would belittle Roz [Perrin] in front of clients, make promises he couldn't keep, miss deadlines and leave Roz to make the apologies and deal with the wrath of clients. He would make errors and try and blame Roz.”
Parson's also mentioned how Christophers used to make fun of Perrin's typing, even though she suffered with arthritis.
Perrin worked at the firm for four years and was unfairly dismissed. She won her claim for sex and age discrimination and unfair dismissal, however F Christophers and Sons appealed. The funeral firm have now had to pay out £30,000 compensation to Perrin.
Tribunal Judge Colm O'Rourke said that it was “a humiliating and degrading environment based on her gender”. The panel also agreed that Christophers had a “general discriminatory attitude to age”.
