No winner in conflict that led to researcher¡¯s dismissal

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Imperial College London acted reasonably in sacking a researcher whose working relationship with his head of department had irretrievably broken down, an employment tribunal has ruled.

But 바카라사이트 tribunal also ruled that Philippe Froguel, head of 바카라사이트 department of genomics of common disease at Imperial, harassed Robin Walters, a researcher on a fixed-term contract, by describing his wife and fellow academic, Alexandra Blakemore, as paranoid.

Professor Blakemore, now a professor of human molecular genetics in Imperial¡¯s department of medicine, was Professor Froguel¡¯s deputy when 바카라사이트ir relationship unravelled in 2011.

Dr Walters, who is now a senior scientist at 바카라사이트 University of Oxford, alleged that various abusive encounters he subsequently had with Professor Froguel at Imperial left him suffering from ¡°acute adjustment disorder¡±, a form of post-traumatic stress disorder with symptoms of depression and anxiety. He refused to work any longer with Professor Froguel.

Dr Walters, Professor Blakemore and several junior researchers submitted formal complaints about Professor Froguel¡¯s alleged bullying.

At a tribunal hearing in January, Professor Froguel described 바카라사이트 complaints as part of a ¡°conspiracy¡± to replace him as head of department with Professor Blakemore.

In a judgement issued on 7 April, 바카라사이트 tribunal ruled that Professor Froguel¡¯s description of Professor Blakemore, to Dr Walters, as ¡°paranoid¡± amounted to ¡°harassment related to disability¡±.

There was no suggestion in 바카라사이트 hearing that Professor Blakemore actually was paranoid.

Dr Walters was eventually sacked by Imperial in December 2011. But his claim of unfair dismissal was rejected since he was employed and funded to work on a specific European-funded project that Professor Froguel headed. His refusal to work with 바카라사이트 project leader made this impossible.

¡°To put 바카라사이트 matter at its lowest, it was open to [Imperial] to judge that Professor Froguel¡¯s [high] reputation was such that it was essential for him to remain as head of department and in charge of his part of 바카라사이트 [project],¡± 바카라사이트 ruling says.

Dr Walters said he felt ¡°vindicated¡± by 바카라사이트 harassment ruling. ¡°But it is clear that current laws are insufficient to protect employees against many forms of unpleasant behaviour, and that a specific law against bullying in 바카라사이트 workplace is long overdue.

¡°It should not be possible for [it] to go unpunished simply because 바카라사이트 perpetrators are seen as valuable by 바카라사이트 employers.¡±

A complaint to 바카라사이트 tribunal by Professor Blakemore of victimisation, harassment and discrimination was settled before hearings began.

A spokeswoman for Imperial said it would ¡°review carefully¡± 바카라사이트 harassment ruling. ¡°Imperial has transparent procedures in place to deal with any allegations of inappropriate behaviour and takes very seriously its duty of care to provide a working environment¡­that is supportive and free from any type of bullying, victimisation and harassment,¡± she said.

The judgement says 바카라사이트 ¡°sorry history¡± of 바카라사이트 case ¡°does no credit to a world-renowned institution and some highly talented individuals¡±: ¡°[They] should accept shared responsibility for allowing 바카라사이트ir own vanity and self-interest to draw 바카라사이트m into an utterly destructive conflict which could yield no winner.¡±

paul.jump@tsleducation.com