Scots easyJet boss sacked for "comments about crew members' bodies"
Amanda Gallagher, an easyJet manager based in Glasgow, gave evidence at the Edinburgh Employment Tribunal on Tuesday, June 17.
A Scots easyJet boss fired a cabin manager who showed "repeated conduct" issues involving comments about crew members' bodies, a court has heard.
Amanda Gallagher, an easyJet manager based in Glasgow, gave evidence at the Edinburgh Employment Tribunal on Tuesday, June 17. As reported by Edinburgh Live, Ms Gallagher said that she terminated Ross Barr's employment for "gross misconduct".
Former cabin manager Barr, 48, is suing the airline for unfair dismissal and sexual orientation discrimination, alleging he was told he couldn't "make the same announcements as a gay colleague" over aircraft PA systems. He outlined on Monday accusations made against him by customers and crew members, such as making inappropriate jokes at work.
On Tuesday the court heard Ms Gallagher was present during Mr Barr's various disciplinary hearings. She also made the ultimate decision to terminate his employment.
Ms Gallagher addressed a customer complaint where Mr Barr was allegedly walking behind a female colleague and said "I'm not doing anything, just staring at your a**". Ms Gallagher had spoken with Mr Barr following the incident and told the court: "He said it was banter but didn't understand there was no need to be referencing someone's backside."
Mr Barr recalled using the word "bum" and also refuted that he referred to his comments as "banter".
The court also heard that Mr Barr once brushed past a female colleague in close quarters on an aircraft and said something to the effect of "I just brushed past your boobs". Ms Gallagher felt Mr Barr's conduct was not "professional in front of customers and other crew" especially when referring to "more sensitive areas".
Employment solicitor Jenni Darling, representing easyJet, brought up a separate incident where Mr Barr allegedly told a crew member to stow an extra seatbelt in storage. Ms Gallagher claimed he told the member of staff to "Stuff it in - I bet you've never had that problem".
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On her decision to fire Mr Barr, she referred to both staff and customer complaints against the cabin manager. Ms Gallagher shared: "There was similar conduct from the past and it hadn't been rectified" and "Given that it was repeated behaviour, it was gross misconduct and it was termination of Mr Barr's employment."
Mr Gallagher also posed that Mr Barr presented a safety threat. She said: "A cabin manager is in a position of trust on board an aircraft [but] crew might not feel comfortable coming to you. If there is sexual conduct [and] if you have to complete safety-related duties in proximity to Mr Barr, [crew] might not complete those safety duties."
While giving evidence on Monday Mr Barr claimed conversations that took place in the rear of the aircraft were "quite personal" and "of a sexual nature". Ms Gallagher asserted on Tuesday that if such conversations were taking place in the cabin, she would expect it to be reported. She added: "There is no soundproof wall" on the plane and "customers can hear everything being said."
Mr Barr further told the court that his termination related to his public announcements (PAs), but Ms Gallagher claimed his PAs had "very little" to do with his termination. Instead, she stated, it was due to his "conduct".
She added: "It's around conduct and what we believe is right onboard. The fact a customer wrote in with a concern is not good for the brand of easyJet."
The hearing is presided over by Employment Judge Muriel Robison. The tribunal continues.
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