F-word ‘particularly common in the north’ – tribunal judge

These included references to colleagues’ weight, use of the term ‘chubs’, talk of ‘fat club’ and fake certificates left in the office honoring the ‘gainer of the week’.

The worker who complained about Mr Ogden is said to have “given as good as she (got)”.

Judge Shergill found that there was no real enforcement by managers of expected workplace norms and values, and that some senior staff were part of the problem.

He ruled that the company subsequently failed to follow a reasonably fair procedure before dismissing him in October 2023.

“The claimant had not previously been arrested for comments and this likely led to a false sense of security as it was not a disciplinary matter,” he said.

“The free-for-all in the office suggested that the plaintiff was the one left without a chair when the music stopped.

“There was a real sense that he was being made an example of, which in the context of the free office and the significant flaws in the process was unconscionable.”

There will be another hearing to decide how much compensation Mr Ogden is entitled to.