In A de Souza E Souza v Primark Stores Ltd, Miss Souza (S) is a transgender woman. An ET found that she had been subjected to harassment related to gender reassignment which included colleagues: outing S and calling her ‘Alexander’; spraying scent near S and saying ‘I can smell urine, like a men’s toilet’; saying ‘it’s a man’s voice’ and ‘deep voice’; telling an electrician he could come into the ladies toilets as ‘there are no ladies in there’, when S was present; and, saying a prayer would be said for S as ‘she’s got evil inside her’. The ET also found that Primark had subjected S to direct gender reassignment discrimination by failing to investigate complaints properly and dealing with it appropriately, i.e. not giving S the outcome of her grievance or advising her of the right of appeal. The ET awarded S £47,433 including £25,000 for injury to feelings. The ET also recommended that a policy be adopted and communicated on the treatment of transgender staff, together with training on its application.
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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.