A HARTLEBURY projects employee with an animal laboratory agency who is seeking compensation for disability discrimination complained she was “almost persecuted” by a woman manager.

Kirsten Dowty, who is also claiming compensation for sex discrimination, told Birmingham Employment Tribunal that white male employees also “suffered bullying at the manager’s hands.”

She was making compensation claims against the Animal Health & Veterinary Laboratory Agency of Worcester.

The agency works with the Government Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and helps protect and control farm animals disease in the UK.

The tribunal was told that Mrs Dowty suffered from incredible stress, which affected her concentration, prompting her compensation claim for disability discrimination.

She complained the respondents failed to provide the support her disability needed and accused the firm of failing to make the required adjustments.

Ed Beever, representing the respondents, denied Mrs Dowty’s allegations and said the employers had fully supported her.

He said part of Mrs Dowty’s job was preparing reports for directors and suggested that Mrs Dowty was capable of working with little support.

During cross examination of Mrs Dowty, Mr Beever suggested her work performance might not have been up to the standard required by her manager.

Mrs Dowty disagreed and said she was trying to achieve everything that was expected.

The tribunal was told that the manager was a strong character who was “quite assertive.”

Mrs Dowty said :”She was more assertive towards me and overbearing.”

She alleged she was “almost persecuted” by the manager and accused her of making her stressful.

The tribunal was told that not all of Mrs Dowty’s evidence had been heard by the firm at an appeal hearing.

She said notes were sent back for correction and that there was a significant amount of additional evidence.

The hearing has been listed for 10 days and a decision is expected at a later date.