Paying The Price Of Ignorance : When A Boss Didn’t Say Hello To An Employee

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It's funny how the smallest things at work can really shape how we feel about our jobs. Like a simple "hello" from the boss in the morning-it might not seem like much, but it can make or break the mood for the day. For some, it's a sign of respect or acknowledgment. But what happens when your boss consistently looks the other way, giving a cold shoulder instead? That's when the relationship between the employee and boss starts to feel less like teamwork and more like an uncomfortable distance and for one woman, this seemingly minor gesture led to something much more bigger than her boss expected.

When The Boss Offered A Cold Shoulder

An office worker, Ms. Nadine Hanson, is set to receive compensation after her recruitment boss, Mr. Andrew Gilchrist, breached employment laws by refusing to greet her on three occasions. The incident occurred when Gilchrist, unaware that Hanson had been at a medical appointment, was upset, believing she was late to work. Within an hour of confronting her, Gilchrist gave two colleagues a pay rise without informing her, actions that led to a Leeds Employment tribunal report in Hanson's favour.

The Tribunal Report

According to the tribunal, Mr. Andrew Gilchrist quickly decided that Ms. Nadine Hanson wasn't keeping up at work based on a brief team meeting, without any real discussion or understanding of her role. Things got worse when Mr. Gilchrist made an unannounced visit to the office in Scunthorpe. Ms. Hanson arrived late that day due to a medical appointment, and despite saying good morning to him three times, he ignored her.

In front of colleagues, he told her to go to the meeting room, where she tried to show proof of her appointment, but he brushed it aside. He said, "I suggest if you don't want to be here that you leave". She replied, "After 20 years of working for the company, the only way I will be leaving is if you make me redundant". The meeting grew tense as she attempted to explain to Mr. Gilchrist how she handled her responsibilities.

He then gave pay raises to her team members within an hour, without discussing it with her. There was no real urgency to the situation-he simply wanted her out of the business.

The Employee's Victory

Ms. Hanson filed claims of unfair dismissal and unauthorized wage deduction after being made to feel undervalued and ignored by her boss, Mr. Gilchrist, which led to sleepless nights and anxiety. The employment tribunal found Mr. Gilchrist's claim that he "could not remember" greeting her was unconvincing, and evidence showed he deliberately ignored her despite her greeting him multiple times.

The tribunal also heard that he denied her sick pay during her notice period. Hanson won the case, but due to new evidence that had come to light, Judge Sarah Davies proposed revoking the judgement and re-hearing the case before a different judge. She will now get compensation from Interaction Recruitment Ltd. which will be decided later.

In this way, Mr. Andrew Gilchrist's actions ultimately led to Ms. Nadine Hanson winning an unfair dismissal claim. Employment judge Sarah Davies ruled that his behaviour was unreasonable and would likely damage trust and confidence. It was revealed that Gilchrist, who had just taken over the business, was deliberately trying to undermine Hanson, the regional operations manager, in an attempt to push her out.

In the end, Mr. Gilchrist's forgetfulness could cost the company more than just a hello, with compensation still on the way, this case is far from over.