An employee, who complained that fluorescent lighting in her office triggered her migraine attacks, has been awarded £21,000 in damages after winning her claim for compensation.
Genevieve Bove, 48, of Moss, in Wrexham, was forced to quit her job, after her repeated requests to change the harsh fluorescent lighting, which were causing her crippling headaches, were ignored by bosses.
Ms. Bove was working at the headquarters of the charitable organisation, the Association of Voluntary Organisations (AVOW) based in Wrexham, who were accused of failing to monitor the behaviour of paid officials at the establishment by an employment tribunal.
Charity chief John Gallanders, repeatedly ignored Ms. Bove’s request and even engineered a meeting with her to discuss her disability discrimination claim, in an office containing lights which he was aware would trigger her migraine attacks, told the tribunal.
Afterwards, Ms. Bove launched an official grievance against her boss with the charity’s trustees but this was not handled correctly and led to Ms. Bove being awarded £21,177 in compensation, for constructive dismissal and disability discrimination.
After the hearing Ms. Bove stated that the whole experience had made her feel ill, adding that the situation was totally unnecessary and that replacement lights could have been fitted for just a few pounds.