Charity whistle-blower wins case

Tebiena Martin says she is on incapacity benefit and medication

A former manager of a Kent-based charity for blind children is to be awarded compensation after blowing the whistle on alleged bullying of staff.

The Royal London Society for the Blind, located in Seal, conceded liability on all the claims brought by Tebiena Martin, from Tunbridge Wells.

They included unfair dismissal and whistle-blowing, but it denied there had been any bullying or harassment.

It is the second such case the charity has faced within a year.

We accept that the matter was not well-handled by the society Harry O'Neil, RLSB vice-chairman

Mrs Martin worked at the RLSB for seven years, but alleged that in the latter part of her time there, she and a number of other staff were bullied by a senior officer.

At an employment tribunal in Ashford, the charity conceded legal liability on all six of her claims.

Speaking after the hearing on Wednesday, she explained how the incident had affected her.

"I remained off sick for a while, and eventually was diagnosed with burn-out syndrome.

"I'm now on incapacity benefit and on medication," she said.

The charity's vice-chairman denies there was any bullying

She is the second member of staff to have voiced her concerns about the running of the charity.

Last year a former personnel manager won his case of unfair dismissal, while 18 months ago a trustee resigned, citing failings in an inquiry into bullying.

The chairman of the charity's college also resigned after concerns over "elements of fear and intimidation".

However, the RSLB says it conceded liability because it did not want to spend any more public money on legal costs.

Four inspections

Vice-chairman Harry O'Neil said: "We accept that the matter was not well-handled by the society, but we do not accept that there was any climate of fear, as was described, nor indeed any bullying or harassment."

He said the charity had had at least four inspections from outside agencies during the last two years which had produced "very great results for the society".

The value of Tebiena Martin's compensation claim will be decided in July.

The Charity Commission is due to publish an inquiry into the running of the RLSB in the same month.