A female sailor could be in line for a six-figure payout after winning her case of sex discrimination against the Royal Navy, her solicitor said yesterday.
Chief petty officer Jacqueline Cartner was discriminated against by her employer when she was passed over for promotion to warrant officer in 2008. She was the only female considered for promotion and claimed she was a better candidate because she had carried out the role in an acting capacity since February 2006, while none of her competitors had performed at that level.
The tribunal ruled the Navy’s promotion procedure was “primitive” and a “matter of concern”, the Independent has reported.
A spokesman for the service said it intends to appeal against the tribunal’s findings.
He said: “The service is very disappointed with the tribunal’s findings. After consideration and with advice from the MoD’s legal advisers, it intends to appeal.”
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Cartner’s solicitor Kam Bains said: “Jacqueline… pursued an internal grievance about the matter but, when this was inadequately investigated and then rejected, felt she had no option but to pursue legal action.”
A further hearing to decide the level of compensation is expected to be held in April, but it could be the equivalent of 10 years’ pay, Bains said.
