Camden News - by JAMES BRAY Published: 15 January 2009
Council staff disputes bill £175,000
COUNCIL departments forked out £175,000 in payouts for unfair dismissal and discrimination claims last year. Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act show that sums as high as £36,000 were paid to individuals seeking compensatory damages in 2008.
Successful claims included cases of sex and race discrimination.
A council spokesman said: “As a large employer of some 8,000 people, the council is unavoidably subject to workplace disputes from time to time. “Most concerns are dealt with quickly and informally, but dissatisfied employees are entitled to take complaints to an employment tribunal on some matters.”
The spokesman added: “Overall it is rare for such complaints to be upheld, but where they are, it is the council’s legal duty to award compensation.”