A Donegal woman who claimed she was bullied by her manageress who called her a "floozy and a blonde bimbo", has been awarded €12,480 for constructive dismissal.
Joy Porter (35), of Drumenan, St Johnston, told an Employment Appeals Tribunal she had started work with Atlantic Home Care in May 2001 and initially the atmosphere was good.
However a new store manageress, referred to as M in a tribunal determination issued yesterday, was appointed and started to "pick on people".
Ms Porter told the tribunal M began to call her names in 2002.
"Words like flirt and floozy were used." She was also referred to as a "blonde bimbo" and M called her "Mrs Bouquet" over the tannoy which signified a fussy old woman.
She never knew what to expect. "One day she could be M's best friend and another day not. M just picked on somebody every day."
Ms Porter said she was shouted at, sometimes so loudly that she could not understand what the manageress was saying.
Another employee also told the tribunal the manageress had called her names. "She was 'branded' smart cookies or Ms Diana," the determination said.
Ms Porter said she began to get tension headaches and anxiety attacks.
In May 2005 she could not take the name calling and verbal abuse any longer.
She attended a doctor, went on sick leave for workplace stress and later resigned.
The manageress told the tribunal it was totally untrue that she picked on people.
When it was put to her about someone overhearing her calling Ms Porter a blonde bimbo, the manageress replied: "Definitely didn't happen. I never named call as a manager for 20 years, it's schoolyard stuff."
No one ever complained to her that she shouted or was aggressive in manner or speech. The allegations were totally untrue.
The tribunal found that Ms Porter's resignation was a case of constructive dismissal and not a voluntary decision.