Overview

• Sophie Cole won £12,500 after an employment tribunal found her harassment and discrimination claims were successful in part.
• The judge upheld elements of claims linked to gender reassignment and ruled one allegation of sex discrimination and harassment succeeded based on perception.
• The award included aggravated damages and a 25% uplift for Royal Mail’s failure to follow the ACAS grievance code.
• The tribunal ordered grievance training for colleagues and managers and recommended Cole not work with a named colleague, Nick Cavanagh.
• Royal Mail said it acknowledges the findings and is progressing the recommendations, while Cole, who represented herself, described the outcome as a possible legal first.