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A senior academic who claimed she was sacked from her job because of her loud voice has been awarded more than £100,000 by an employment tribunal after winning a claim for unfair dismissal.
Dr Annette Plaut, 60, alleged it was a combination of her being female and her 'naturally loud voice' that led to her dismissal from the University of Exeter's physics department where she had worked for 30 years.
The lecturer admitted she was 'inherently loud', 'naturally argumentative' in conversation, spoke with vigorous hand gestures, and was so passionate about physics that she would get overexcited.
But while many students and colleagues liked the University of Exeter academic's teaching style, some co-workers found her 'overbearing', 'boisterous' and a 'Marmite' character, the hearing was told.
The physicist was suspended and then sacked following a disciplinary hearing in December 2019, after bosses said she was shouting at PhD students and causing them stress and anxiety.
However, at a tribunal in Exeter, Dr Plaut claimed her eastern European Jewish heritage and upbringing meant she had 'inherent characteristics of loudness'.
Last December employment Judge Paul Housego criticised the way the academic of such long standing was treated and found the university guilty of unfair dismissal.
Dr Annette Plaut, 60, has been awarded more than £100,000 by an employment tribunal after winning a claim for unfair dismissal
The employment tribunal has now awarded Dr
