Teen waitress ordered to wear skirt and makeup ‘to look more attractive for the punters’ wins £3,500 sex discrimination claim
Erin Sandilands, 18, was asked by her manager to wear her hair down and a dress so she was "easy on the eye"
AN 18-year-old waitress ordered to wear a skirt and make-up to look "more attractive" for customers has won a £3500 sexual discrimination claim.
Erin Sandilands, 18, was asked by her manager to wear her hair down and a dress so she was "easy on the eye" while serving at Cecchini's bistro in Ardrossan, Ayrshire.
The student refused and was then told she would no longer be offered shifts.
An employment tribunal found she had been subject to a "degrading and humiliating" working environment.
Erin, of West Kilbride, Ayrshire, said: "I'm delighted with the result.
"I did not think it would be that successful.
"I was quite reluctant to go to a tribunal, because I had never done anything like that before.
"I would just like people to know what sort of business they are.
"It's not an establishment I'd like other girls to work at."
She started work at the bistro last September and was told the dress code was a black shirt with a black trousers or skirt.
A month later her manager took her aside and asked her to wear a skirt or her hair down, as well as make up, to make her more attractive to customers.
The following day, she was told she would not be offered more shifts.
She said: "When it happened it was completely unnecessary.
"I was dressed smartly and wearing the uniform as it had been described to me.
"They said I should wear a skirt and make-up and put my hair up and be more feminine.
"They said that the punters would like that.
"I felt utterly humiliated and upset."
A friend also working at the restaurant told the tribunal she had her hours increased at around the same time.
The restaurant was also said to be heading into a busy period and hired a new member of staff.
Following the incident, Erin was unemployed until February and did not have the confidence to apply for another job.
She quit college to increase her hours at the bistro after being told they needed more shifts covered.
Tribunal judge Claire McManus said she found Erin's evidence to be "entirely credible."
She said the manager's comments amounted to discrimination, and that he would not have made them to a male employee.
The written judgement also found his conduct amounted to harassment in a "degrading and humiliating" working environment.
She was awarded £2500 in compensation for the injury to her feelings and £1060 in lost wages.
Anthony Cecchini, owner of the restaurant, said: "The allegations are untrue and we intend to appeal this decision."