Former receptionist wins £23,000 after being excluded from office ‘Pizza Fridays’

Managers at Hartwell, a Ford car dealership in Watford, UK, would conduct office parties where each staff member was asked to pick a takeaway food they would like to order every month, and this included pizza or other fast food options.

However, Lewicka told the tribunal that she was not asked what she would like to eat, denying her participation in the party.

Lewicka also told the hearing that her colleagues started excluding her after she accused one of the staff members of sexual discrimination back in March 2018. She had complained about her working hours and pay, and her colleagues were subjected to investigation.

After finding evidence of gross misconduct, the colleague was given a written final warning. It was after this incident that Lewicka was not invited to the company-wide lunch which took place on the last Friday of every month.

While Hartwell claimed Lewicka hadn’t been involved because she worked part-time and finished her day at 1 pm, the tribunal ruled that this wasn’t an excuse.

According to The Sun, Lewicka was working at Hartwell’s Watford dealership but was moved to Hemel Hempstead while the Watford branch underwent a rebuild.

The receptionist reportedly submitted ample evidence proving that at the Hemel dealership,  a manager went around the site taking lunch orders and that she was included.

As per the news agency, Employment Judge Jennifer Bartlett then ruled that this was a form of sexual discrimination and Lewicka was subsequently awarded £23,079, including compensation for injury to feelings, as well as loss of earnings.