An employment tribunal has warned describing a woman as “glamorous” at work risks “belittling” her.
Paying a compliment to a female colleague in such a way is potentially inappropriate because it could make them seem less serious and professional, according to a tribunal judge.
The ruling applies in the case of a lawyer who sued for discrimination after her boss called her “glamorous”.
Jeniffer Campbell alleged her now-former manager, Alexandra Jacobs, racially discriminated against her by using the term.
The tribunal rejected her racism claim, but it did find using the word was potentially a breach of workplace laws, according to the Telegraph.
Employment judge Sophie Park is quoted by the same publication as saying: “In a business context we have concluded that being described as glamorous is potentially inappropriate.
“Looked at objectively, it could be taken as undermining or belittling the person being described, making them seem less serious and professional.”
The tribunal panel members heard Ms Jacobs was showing a new colleague around the office and when introducing Ms Campbell said she was the “glamour corner”.
Colleagues said Ms Campbell took great care over her appearance and Ms Jacobs had been heard previously to have complimented her.
Ms Campbell said Ms Jacobs’ remark was “offensive”, accusing Waltham Forest Council where she worked as a contract lawyer of race harassment and race discrimination.
East London Employment Tribunal dismissed her case. The judge ruled: “We cannot see how she would understand the comment as having any racial connotation”.
Besides her role as a practising lawyer, Ms Campbell models and has participated in beauty contests. She was crowned Ms UK International Elite in 2019.
Ms Campbell levelled a series of racism allegations against Ms Jacobs and the London Borough of Waltham Forest at the tribunal.
The tribunal heard she joined the council via an agency in December 2018 and worked in the commercial team. She lost her job in July 2020 because it was deemed there were too many agency staff and client complaints had been made.
Ms Campbell alleged Ms Jacobs discriminated against her during her employment. She claimed in August 2019 Ms Jacobs told her she wasn’t “vanilla enough”. The tribunal found Ms Jacobs had only used the word “vanilla” in relation to her writing.
In its judgement, the tribunal said: “A new member of staff joined the team, Lorraine Clark. She was a newly qualified solicitor and also agency staff.
“Ms Jacobs took Ms Clark around the department and introduced her to the team. Ms Campbell alleged that Ms Jacobs did not introduce her by name, but just as ‘the glamour corner’.
“Ms Jacobs said she introduced her by name and then added she was the glamorous member of the team.
“The gist of what was said was undisputed. The context was that Ms Jacobs was introducing her to a new member of the team and as she did so she described her in some way as being glamorous.
“Ms Campbell was upset by what had happened. This is not disputed. She told Ms Jacobs the same day that she found it offensive being introduced that way rather than as a barrister or lawyer. Ms Jacob’s evidence was she was mortified and apologetic.
“In terms of the background to the comment, we heard from a number of witnesses that Ms Campbell took care with her appearance when in the office.
“Ms Jacobs described her as being glamorous and that she had complimented her previously on how she dressed. Ms Campbell acknowledged this and that she had then bought Ms Jacobs a dress.
“[Another colleague] Ms McKenzie-Benjamin explained in some detail how she always appeared to take care about her appearance.
“This included that the claimant would do her hair and make-up every day for work and Ms McKenzie-Benjamin described the claimant’s dress sense as glamorous.”
The employment judge ruled the remark was not racist as it was “clearly the way she presented herself”.
The judgement continued: “We considered whether being referred to as glamorous could be said to be related to race. Having done so we do not find that is the case. There is nothing inherent in being described as glamorous that is related to race.”
