WIRRAL social worker has been awarded compensation by an industrial tribunal for victimisation.

Carolyn Butt, of Hoylake, brought proceedings against Wirral Borough Council claiming compensation for alleged sexual discrimination and victimisation.

She claimed that she was passed over for promotion on the grounds of sex discrimination. She and four other women applied for a job as a team manager at Arrowe Park Hospital, Birkenhead, but a man was selected.

Mrs Butt lodged a complaint of sex discrimination and was then victimised as a result, she told the tribunal.

By a majority decision, the tribunal rejected the sex discrimination claim but unanimously ruled that she had been victimised and awarded her £677.

During the 12 day hearing, Mrs Butt, a 45-year-old single parent, told how she was bullied and harassed. She was off work for seven months suffering from stress.

Although she argued that the bullying and victimisation had gone on for a year, the tribunal panel found that she had been victimised for only three months.

Following the judgement, Mrs Butt, who is temporarily working with a youth justice team, said: "This decision is an example of the need for the national campaign against bullying at work, which was set up a year ago."

Mrs Butt, who represented herself, added that it had been a big challenge at huge personal cost. "My 16 year old daughter has suffered as well," she said.

She also pointed out that it had been accepted that the events meant she had lost a year in terms of career prospects.

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