City worker, 27, suing firm for sexism after she was ‘propositioned’
City worker, 27, suing her firm for sexism after male boss, 50, told her ‘if I was 20 years younger, I’d have been all over you’ was left suffering stress and anxiety, tribunal hears
- Nathalie Abildgaard, 27, told a tribunal she was unfairly dismissed
- The city worker said her older male boss text her his hotel room number for ‘fun’
- IFM Investments said ‘management action was taken’ and Frederic Michel-Verdier, 50, who denies all accusations against him
Nathalie Abildgaard, 27 leaves Victory House where she is suing her former firm
A City worker suing her firm for sexism after she was propositioned by her boss was left ‘suffering stress and anxiety’, an employment tribunal was told.
Nathalie Abildgaard, 27, is claiming she was unfairly dismissed after batting off advances from a 50-year-old executive director at IFM Investors.
Miss Abildgaard left the Australian fund management firm just a month after Frederic Michel-Verdier said: ‘If I was 20 years younger, I would have been all over you’ at a nightclub in Madrid, it is claimed.
He is also said to have messaged her his hotel room number so ‘we could have some fun’ on the night in March last year, which was organised to celebrate the closing of a deal.
Miss Abildgaard, who is originally from Denmark, was said to have sought medical treatment for stress and anxiety after the incident.
At Kingsway Employment Tribunal today, Employment Judge Graeme Hodgson adjourned the hearing until Thursday so the panel could read witness statements and other documents.
Carol Davis, representing IFM Investments, said: ‘This is a case that’s essentially allegations relating to conduct.
‘This is a case, in essence, about conduct alleged to have occurred in a nightclub in Madrid and the way in which the claimant dealt with that prior to her resignation.
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‘This is a four-day hearing and revolves around a few hours in a nightclub.’
The lawyer said there may be some legal arguments relating to issues with evidence before the tribunal opens.
One of these issues may be in relation to medical evidence submitted by Miss Abildgaard.
Michel Verdier, 50, has denied any kind of inappropriate behaviour towards female colleagues
The panel of employment judges heard she started a new job after leaving IFM but was signed off on sick leave by her doctor.
Ms Davis said: ‘We have objected on the basis this is liability only. There has not been expert evidence nor full disclosure.
‘What we have been provided with as a statement dated 7 July 2018 is that the claimant tendered her resignation on the 9 April.
‘On July 10 she commenced alternative employment at another firm for which she then a couple of days later went on sick leave.
‘The certificate says she has been suffering from anxiety and stress related to sexual harassment.’
Lucy Bone, representing Miss Abildgaard, said: ‘It’s relevant to the offence. Part of the statutory tests for harassment.
‘The respondent puts into dispute that the claimant has had the impact that she says she has suffered.’
In a statement, IFM Investments said: ‘IFM Investors takes allegations of workplace misconduct extremely seriously and recognises the impact any such incidents can have on employees involved.
‘This matter was investigated immediately upon IFM Investors being made aware of the complaint in April last year and management action was taken in accordance with our policies and procedures.
The city worker said her older male boss texted her the number of his hotel room after drinks to celebrate a business deal
‘IFM Investors goes to great lengths to foster a positive, equal and respectful workplace culture and we work continuously to improve our organisation.’
Mr Verdier has denied the accusations.
He kept his job as the firm felt it could not ‘reasonably conclude’ that there had also been ‘verbal unwanted and physical advances.’
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