A SACKED Oxford University college bursar was unfairly dismissed, an employment tribunal ruled.

Jean Wright, 60, claimed she was fired from her role at St Peter’s College after she pushed for an archivist to be dismissed over harassment allegations, a move she said turned other staff against her.

According to one former colleague, Mrs Wright, from Kidlington, used to “scream, shout and swear” at staff and put them in fear of losing their jobs.

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She took the college to an industrial tribunal claiming unfair dismissal, public interest disclosure and disability discrimination.

Her claim of unfair dismissal was upheld, but employment judge Robin Lewis dismissed all the rest of her claims.

College master Mark Damazer, a former controller of BBC Radio 4, said the college was not initially aware she suffered from stress and depression, but believed it did everything it could to help her.

She claimed a culture of racism, prejudice and sexism was prevalent at the college.

Mrs Wright was sacked as a result of a hearing in mid-2013 after 12 gross misconduct allegations were made following an investigation into her behaviour.

Her claim for unfair dismissal succeeded because her managers failed to consider her returning to work, or whether the breakdown in working relations meant things could not be improved in the future.



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