David Brent seen in Employment Tribunal ?

Whilst not that uncommon, few cases disclosing the underlying evidence of complete ignorance of employment law get reported. In a case reminiscent of the totally crass behaviour of a “David Brent” character, a defendant employer admitted in the Tribunal that he regularly swore and abused his employees, but considered this to be only “banter”, even when he admitted telling the claimant she was “fucking useless”.

The Employment Tribunal not only decided that the Claimant former employee had every right to consider that she had been constructively dismissed on the facts of this case, due to this ongoing behaviour, but also the panel had in mind it’s own character, rather than my David Brent. The Tribunal stated that the defendants’ behaviour reminded them of Sid James in the classic Carry On films ! I am old enough to remember those films regrettably !