College lecturer whose colleague lied she made racist remarks about travellers and went on to mock her disabilities at work wins £177,000 damages
A college lecturer whose colleague mocked her disabilities and falsely claimed she made racist remarks about travellers has won £177,000 in damages.
Dr Sharon Turton, a psychology lecturer at MidKent college in Kent for over eight years, said the sum ‘nowhere near compensates for what I lost in savings, income, and future income’ after she took voluntary redundancy in 2022 after being harassed by a fellow members of staff.
The 65-year-old, who has Asperger’s Syndrome, severe complex post-traumatic stress disorder and ADHD, had her disabilities mocked by a colleague who tapped her head to indicate that Dr Turton had ‘mental problems’, a tribunal judgement ruled.
The same colleague also spread false rumours that Dr Turton made a racism comment about a student’s traveller heritage.
An employment tribunal ruled previously that three complaints of harassment related to disability and two complaints of direct disability discrimination were well-founded and succeeded.
And she has now been awarded £177,157.28 in compensation and £12,465.15 in legal costs.
The tribunal, held in London in October and November 2024, heard that Dr Turton had a number of runs in with a fellow member of staff who mocked the mother-of-three’s disabilities and spread lies about her.
Speaking about her compensation award this week, the lecturer, from Ashford, Kent, said: ‘I am satisfied with the reward. I don’t think it really reflects what I have lost, but it is not bad either.
Dr Sharon Turton (pictured) said the sum ‘nowhere near compensates for what I lost in savings, income, and future income’ after she took voluntary redundancy in 2022
‘This was never entirely about money. The money is important because I have lost so much, but the reason I never took the out of court settlement is because this needs to be exposed.
‘I am not unhappy, but I am not happy. I think a lot of it hinges on whether the public are made aware of what has happened.
‘The money I got nowhere near compensates for what I lost in savings, income, and future income. What I went through was horrendous. It has been hell, but if things are going to change then this had to happen.’
To this day Dr Turton says she is still impacted, having nightmares about the allegations, panic attacks which last hours, and tachycardia- a condition causing a fast heart rate.
She added: ‘I wanted to stay working, I have worked all my life and I have worked very hard. I am a person who hates not working and even though I am now at retirement age I never intended to give up work.
‘It was the most amazing job and sadly it ended. I loved my career.
‘I don’t know what comes next, all I know is what is not going to happen, I am not going back to lecturing or teaching. I am never going to work for someone else.’
Dr Turton said that the ordeal meant she found it ‘impossible now to trust people’ and that ‘the psychological impact has been huge’.
Midkent College where Dr Sharon Turton was a psychology lecturer for over eight year. It was during her time at the college that a fellow member of staff mocked her disabilities and spread lies about her
The tribunal also awarded aggravated damages of £5,000 because it felt the college was ‘simply not taking our findings seriously’, as it was yet to ‘take any action’ against the staff members.
Dr Turton added: ‘No action or disciplinary has been taken against any of the people in the judgement… This has serious implications for the way the college views race and disability.
‘I think it is really concerning because the college have a lot of disabled students, and these people have no idea what is going on behind the scenes.
‘When people not only bully and harass people for their disability but they get away with it, it is absolutely shocking.
‘I think how the college handled it was just as bad as what the bullies did, and going through the tribunal case was just as bad as either of those. It is like three equally traumatic parts.’
The lecturer, who has three daughters and six grandchildren, now hopes to spend time writing a book she started eight years ago.
Simon Cook, principal and CEO at MidKent College said: ‘We take these findings and the matters they discuss extremely seriously and are committed to ensuring that all staff and students experience an inclusive and respectful working and learning environment.
‘The events referenced in the Tribunal’s judgment occurred between 2021 and 2022, and a significant period has passed since then.
‘Throughout this time, the College has continued to learn and grow, strengthening its policies and practices to foster a more inclusive workplace.
‘The well-being of our staff remains a priority, and we are committed to reflecting on this case to ensure we maintain a culture of respect and support for all.’
