In a surprising twist, a Welsh university cleaner has been awarded a staggering £264,000 after a tribunal ruled she was unfairly dismissed over a dispute involving a student’s rice cooker. Peak Ong, 72, faced a long-standing feud with her manager at Aberystwyth University, leading to allegations of bullying and harassment.
The trouble started when Ms Ong was accused of helping a student with a rice cooker, which was banned in the university halls. Although the university argued Ms Ong was dismissed for other conduct-related reasons, the tribunal found fault with their disciplinary process.
Despite being a cleaner since 2014, Ms Ong’s attempts to resolve issues with her manager were futile. Things took a turn during a mediation process, but when Ms Ong failed to find another role at the university, a damning reference blocked her from a new job elsewhere. The tribunal labelled this act as ‘victimisation’.
Judge Dilbaag Bansal criticised the university’s actions as ‘irresponsible and retaliatory’, emphasising that the unlawful act cost Ms Ong future employment opportunities. Though Ms Ong’s dismissal claims were upheld, other claims were dismissed.
Aberystwyth University has since apologised for procedural missteps and is reviewing its processes to prevent future occurrences. Meanwhile, Ms Ong, despite this arduous journey, stands as a testament to perseverance and fighting for fair treatment in the workplace. What are your thoughts on this dramatic turn of events? Let us know in the comments!