EDINBURGH – A dental nurse received compensation of around £25,000 (approximately RM143,000) after a tribunal found that she had been bullied by a colleague who frequently gave her hostile looks at work.
Online news portal The Times of India reported that the employment tribunal ruled that 64-year-old Maureen Howieson had been subjected to rude treatment and belittlement while working at a dental clinic.
The incidents began after the arrival of a new dental therapist, Jisna Iqbal, who was accused of refusing to carry out certain tasks and repeatedly rolling her eyes whenever Howieson spoke to her.
With over 40 years of experience in dentistry, Howieson was only assigned to the reception desk due to health issues, while Jisna, a dentist from India, was not yet qualified to treat patients in the United Kingdom.
Another dentist, Daniela Siersch, also confirmed that Jisna refused to follow specific instructions, including cleaning the toilets before inspections, believing that such tasks were beneath her as a dentist.
The tense situation eventually caused Howieson to suffer panic attacks and cry at work before resigning in October 2024.
Clinic owner Dr Fary Johnson Vithayathil admitted that he had been aware of the issues involving Jisna from the start but failed to resolve them.
Employment Judge Ronald Mackay found that the employer had deliberately allowed a hostile working environment to persist, in addition to committing a serious breach of contract and unfair dismissal against Howieson.
He stressed that the assurances given to Howieson were never fulfilled, which only worsened the situation.