Japanese bank, Nomura International, has finally come out with flying colours in the two cases brought against it before the Employment Tribunal by two female members of staff on allegations of racial and sex discrimination as well as unfair dismissal.
The services of these complainants were made redundant after their original employer, Lehman Brothers collapsed and Nomura took over parts of the company. Neither of these women, namely Maureen Murphy and Anna Francis, is of Japanese origin and claim to have been discriminated on this ground. They also claim that their dismissal was a result of sex discrimination. Miss Murphy also said that she was sexually harassed at the workplace where comments were made on her breasts. She was allegedly told that she should stay home and do the cleaning work. She was also mocked because of her accent.
Though the two claims were separate, they were heard together because of overlaps. The Employment Tribunal found that the women’s’ claims had no factual backing and dismissed the case. The judge also said that the reasons furnished for redundancy were justified. The women had demanded £1.5m each as damages for their mental trauma and loss of livelihood. However it is not clear whether they will appeal.
A representative of bank said that it is satisfied with the decision of the tribunal in both the cases and considers them closed.
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