A COMPANY which gave four explanations as to why a Protestant woman was not considered for the post of manager has been found guilty of unlawful discrimination.
The woman was awarded £29,500 sterling compensation to be paid by Poundstretcher of Leeds. The Fair Employment Tribunal in Belfast took the unusual step of awarding costs against Poundstretcher because the company had acted "totally unreasonably".
The tribunal was told the woman, who had worked for the company since 1987, was not considered for a management position in a branch in Ballymena, Co Antrim, in 1992. A Catholic man was appointed.
A Catholic man has accepted £10,000 from Shorts Brothers in settlement of his case alleging discrimination. The company has agreed to implement a fresh policy and procedure on sectarian harassment.
The tribunal found he had suffered less favourable treatment on the grounds of his religious belief and political opinion. The company tolerated sectarian manifestations in the workplace and he had been victimised when he complained to management.