Judgment has been reserved by the Employment Appeals Tribunal in a case in which a housekeeper who worked for 15 years in the French ambassador's residence is claiming wrongful dismissal.
Mrs Catherine Bloomer's counsel, Mr Peter Ward, told the tribunal that when the ambassador, Mr Henri de Coignac, was appointed in late 1997, "things began to go wrong". Her hours then were 9.30 to 3.30 five days a week, and mornings on Saturdays. She also worked evenings when there was a cocktail or dinner party.
"Mme Coignac in particular caused a lot of problems to Mrs Bloomer. She dealt with her in a haughty and disdainful manner for a person of the years and experience of Mrs Bloomer," he said.
Mrs Bloomer said on January 6th, 1998, Mrs Coignac "said she wanted me to come in three nights one week and two the next. I asked what about the dinner parties and cocktail parties. She said we'll have to sort it out between us. It could have meant three nights one week and four the next," Mrs Bloomer said.
She said when she objected, Mrs Coignac said: "I can't keep you," and left the room. Mrs Bloomer was very upset and went home after finishing her work. She was ill with diverticulitis the next day, and could not go to work. Asked why she did not return afterwards, she said: "Because I felt I was dismissed."
Mr Patrick Donaghy, for the embassy, asked her if she recalled a call from Mr Eric Bayer, and Mrs Bloomer agreed he had asked her if she was coming back.
Mrs Evelyn de Cognac said she had thought she was getting on very well with Mrs Bloomer and the other staff. She had thought Mrs Bloomer's colleague, Mrs Eithne Cole, was doing too many hours and Mrs Bloomer could come in two afternoons a week.
She denied she put this to Mrs Bloomer as an ultimatum. She had asked her to think about it, and Mrs Bloomer had said "No. I don't have to think about it." She denied she had dismissed her. "I'm not allowed to dismiss anyone," she said.