A former GP surgery manager in Wrexham has received a substantial payout of more than £142,000 after an employment tribunal ruled she was subjected to workplace harassment, including age-based slurs and insulting remarks about her family. This judgement has cast a spotlight on toxic workplace cultures and the responsibilities that employers have towards their employees.
The case centred around Catherine Clark, 62, who previously managed the Gardden Road surgery in Rhosllanerchrugog. Ms Clark brought legal action after alleging that she had been targeted with cruel jibes and belittling nicknames by her boss, Dr George Williams, one of the GP partners at the practice. Tribunal proceedings revealed that Dr Williams, along with others at the surgery, regularly referred to Ms Clark and her relatives as the “Clarkashians” — a play on the famous Kardashian family, intended as a source of gossip and entertainment among colleagues.
Documents presented to the tribunal exposed a pattern of derogatory language, including Dr Williams branding Ms Clark as “an old knacker” and needlessly insulting her daughter, describing her as a “fat p***k”. In one WhatsApp exchange, Dr Williams compared the surgery manager to “an old horse that needed to be put down,” further expressing that Ms Clark was “incompetent and too old for her job.” These exchanges emerged after the GP’s former partner, in the wake of an acrimonious break-up, contacted Ms Clark to reveal the messages in December 2021.
Judge Rachel Harfield concluded that these comments represented clear harassment based on age and disability, pointing out that this behaviour created a “intimidating, degrading, humiliating, and offensive” working environment. The judge further rejected Dr Williams’ claims that the remarks were harmless or affectionate, noting that the context was entirely inappropriate and the phrases used were deliberately demeaning.
Ms Clark, who had confided in Dr Williams about her struggles with anxiety and depression, later learned she had also been labelled a “drug-seeker” in private group chats, after being prescribed medication for her mental health issues. She reported feeling “heartbroken” and devastated upon discovering the scale and nature of the gossip, especially given that she had trusted Dr Williams as a friend and confidante.
Following these revelations, Ms Clark raised her concerns formally with surgery management, but stated that her grievances were inadequately addressed. Feeling unsupported and ostracised, she subsequently resigned her position and pursued her claims through the employment tribunal system, alleging constructive unfair dismissal, discrimination, and harassment.
Judge Harfield agreed with Ms Clark and held that Gardden Road surgery staff, led by Dr Williams, had engaged in sustained and unkind gossip, and that these actions amounted to victimisation. The surgery’s failure to appropriately deal with Ms Clark’s complaints further cemented their liability, the tribunal found.
As a result, Ms Clark was awarded a total compensation package amounting to £142,803. This included £60,873 to cover financial losses, £32,550 for injury to feelings, and £16,844 for unfair dismissal, recognising both the financial and emotional impact of her ordeal.
Efforts to obtain a statement from Gardden Road surgery were unsuccessful, with calls made by Wales Online being promptly terminated or met with refusals to comment. The practice later confirmed it did not wish to provide a public response.
This case underlines the importance of addressing workplace bullying and highlights the severe consequences that employers and senior staff may face if discriminatory or harassing behaviour is tolerated. It also serves as a reminder that allegations of workplace misconduct can have far-reaching repercussions not only for individual employees, but also for the reputation and financial standing of an organisation.