BBC pays nearly £500k to employees who claim they were discriminated against
In the last three years the Beeb has settled 20 employment tribunal cases — with 14 claiming they were victims of discrimination
THE BBC has admitted paying out thousands of pounds to employees who claim they have been discriminated against for their sex, religion, race or disability.
In the last three years the Beeb spent £490,720 to settle 20 employment tribunal cases — with 14 claiming they had been victims of discrimination.
One claimed they had been unfairly dismissed for their sexual orientation while another won a payout for being picked on for their trade union activities.
The BBC refused to say how much each individual claim was for.
The payments were from a total of 63 cases brought against the employer.
In 2011 Countryfile presenter Miriam O’Reilly, 59, won her age-discrimination tribunal when she said she was asked if it was “time for Botox”.
Over the last six years, 66 industrial tribunal cases have been settled, costing the Corporation £1.3million.
A BBC spokesman said it employed 20,000 people and the “number of claims over the last decade is very small”.
Jonathan Isaby of the Taxpayers’ Alliance said the broadcaster is either failing to meet its needs as an employer or “it is giving in to spurious claims too easily”.