Muslim worker sues bank for £16m

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A Muslim woman was a victim of discrimination at a UK bank, an employment tribunal has heard.

Corporate manager Mona Awad, 29, is suing two ex-senior staff members at HBOS and the firm for more than £16m.

It was claimed she was prepared to "give sexual gratification" to improve her career, she told the preliminary hearing in Nottingham.

HBOS and the two bosses, who cannot be named and deny the claims, which relate to a 12-month period between 2007-08.

Mrs Awad, of Chilwell, Nottingham, kept a diary of the comments she claims the two ex-bosses made to or about her. Bullies and sexual harassers should not be able to benefit from the consequences of their unlawful actions Mona Awad

In a written statement presented to the employment tribunal in Nottingham, she said: "The repeated acts of harassment destroyed my self-esteem and confidence.

"I felt so bullied and afraid that I felt unable to complain formally, let alone bring an external claim to the employment tribunal."

She became ill with stress and was signed off sick for weeks on end, she said.

Mrs Awad said she was subjected to "disgusting innuendo".

One of the respondents, she alleged, asked her in front of colleagues if she was having sex with an employee of a customer.

She added: "They also operated an institutionally sexist environment.

"Bullies and sexual harassers should not be able to benefit from the consequences of their unlawful actions."

'Carry bombs?'

In another incident, Mrs Awad attended a Christmas party at which she was asked by another senior member of staff if she was an "active Muslim", the tribunal heard.

"I had asked what he meant by that term," she said. "He replied 'Do you carry bombs on trains?'."

An internal investigation into Mrs Awad's claims by the bank upheld a number of grievances against the two ex-bosses, the tribunal was told.

The pair have since left the company. The tribunal continues.