Peak Ong, a 72-year-old cleaner at Aberystwyth University in Wales, won £264,442.09 from the school after a dispute that started with a banned rice cooker ended in her firing and a vindictive job reference.
Catherine Green, Ong's manager, accused her of giving a rice cooker to a student living in university dorms, where they're banned. That accusation prompted Ong and Green to enter mediation, and they signed a confidential settlement.
In 2021, the university fired Ong, claiming she had breached that settlement. The tribunal said no one ever told Ong that a breach could get her fired. Ceredigion council then pulled a job offer, and several other applications went nowhere, after Aberystwyth's reference flagged an "ongoing dispute" — wording Employment Judge Dilbaag Bansal called a "clear reference to the tribunal claim" and the university's conduct "irresponsible and retaliatory."
A spokesperson for the university said: "While the tribunal found in the university's favour for the majority of the claims brought in this complex case, we recognise that some procedures were not applied correctly in this instance. We are sorry for the impact this had on those involved. We respect the tribunal's decision and are reviewing our processes to ensure this cannot happen again. The university remains committed to supporting our staff and fostering a professional and inclusive working environment."
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