Calling a woman 'glamorous' at work risks undermining or belittling them, ... trends now
Calling a woman 'glamorous' at work risks 'undermining' or 'belittling' them, an employment tribunal has warned.
Complimenting a female colleague in that way is potentially 'inappropriate' as it could make them seem 'less serious and professional', a panel concluded.
The ruling came in the case of a beauty pageant winning barrister who sued for discrimination after her boss called her 'glamorous'.
Jeniffer Campbell, who is black, alleged her manager Alexandra Jacobs racially discriminated against her by using the term and that it was 'offensive' for her to do so.
And although the tribunal rejected her racism claim it did find that using the word was potentially a breach of workplace laws.
Jeniffer Campbell (pictured) claimed it was 'offensive' for her female boss to call her 'glamorous' and that it was racial discrimination
Employment Judge Sophie Park said: 'In a business context we have concluded that being described as glamorous is potentially inappropriate.
'Looked at objectively, it could be taken as undermining or belittling the person being described, making them seem less serious and professional.'
A tribunal heard Ms Jacobs was showing a new colleague around the office and when introducing Ms Campbell, she said the lawyer and model was the 'glamour corner'.
Colleagues said Ms Campbell took great care of her appearance, would do her hair and make up every day, and it was heard Ms Jacobs had previously complimented her.
But, Ms Campbell claimed Ms Jacobs' remark was 'offensive'.
She moved to sue Waltham Forest London Borough Council - where she worked as a contract lawyer - for race harassment and race discrimination.
However, East London Employment Tribunal dismissed her case, with a judge ruling 'we cannot see how she would understand the comment as having any racial connotation'.
Outside of working as a practising lawyer, Ms Campbell models and has taken part it beauty contests.
In 2019, aged 45, she was crowned 'Ms UK International Elite'.
Ms Campbell (pictured) sued Waltham Forest London Borough Council - where she worked as a contract lawyer - for race harassment and race discrimination
At the East London tribunal, beauty queen Ms Campbell made a series of racism allegations against Ms Jacobs and the London Borough of Waltham Forest.
It was heard she joined the local authority via an agency in December 2018, working in the commercial team.
She was sacked in July 2020 due to too many agency staff and 'long-standing issues with her performance, such as client complaints'.
Ms Campbell alleged that during her employment Ms Jacobs discriminated against
