Senior Managers at Manchester Airport Shame on You
Manchester Airport has been ordered to pay substantial damages to an NUJ member following an employment tribunal ruling that sharply criticised senior managers at the airport.
The tribunal found that communications manager Jennifer Walley had been unfairly dismissed and ordered the airport to pay more than £25,000 in compensation.
Senior managers at Manchester Airport came in for tough criticism for their roles in the case, which related to unsubstantiated allegation of leaking information to the press. The tribunal in Manchester found defects in the company’s investigation and disciplinary hearing and said that a subsequent appeal process was “flawed”.
Jennifer was originally suspended from her job managing the airport’s press office in May 2006 after she submitted alternative proposals to a planned restructuring on behalf of the communications team. When Jennifer’s suspension was reported in the Manchester Evening News and Blackpool Gazette, further allegations were introduced to the disciplinary process alleging that Jennifer was the source for these stories, an allegation that was not upheld.
Jennifer was dismissed in September 2006 in a process that has now been found to be unfair.
The tribunal found that:
the airport’s Head of Risk Assurance Chris Humm, who conducted the investigation into the allegations, effectively “shifted the goalposts” during his investigation into allegations against Jennifer;
Mr Humm “patently misled” Jennifer when he telephoned her the day before an interview to say there were no new issues to be raised;
management failed to provide Jennifer with written notification of new allegations being made against her, in direct contravention of the company’s disciplinary procedure;
Steve Warrener, Manchester Airport’s Finance Director, was “wholly unrealistic” in some of the demands he placed upon Jennifer and “chose to disregard” confirmation from the newspapers involved that Jennifer wasn’t the source for their stories;
the reason for Jennifer’s dismissal was connected with her membership of the NUJ.
Responding to the tribunal’s judgement, both Jennifer and NUJ General Secretary Jeremy Dear called on the airport’s owners – Manchester City Council and the nine other local authorities in Greater Manchester – to examine the tribunal’s criticisms and demand answers from the airport management.
After the Tribunal’s findings were announced, Jennifer Walley said:
“I believe my case raises serious questions about the senior management operation at Manchester Airport and it is important these are addressed. The tribunal’s findings speak for themselves.
“I hope that the tribunal’s criticisms of the directors involved will encourage the owners of the airport to properly examine their conduct and behaviour.”
“I would like to pay tribute to my former airport press office colleagues who gave evidence at the hearing. I will always be grateful to them for the courage they have shown.”
Jeremy Dear added: “Jen has shown she is courageous, committed to the pursuit of the truth and principled throughout this long ordeal. She has exposed the failings and falsehoods of those who sought to tarnish her reputation. She richly deserves this significant victory.”
The Tribunal awarded a basic award of £4,200 plus £13,577 compensation and £8,000 for injury to feelings.
19 May 2008