Shelf stacker claims height discrimination

A BRITISH teenager who stands 4ft 4in tall and alleges he was verbally abused and humiliated by his bosses at a supermarket was a “great” member of staff who got on with employers and employees, an industrial tribunal heard yesterday.

Supermarket manager Simon Mutton said he “hadn’t got a clue” why Scott English launched a claim for a damages, claiming he had been made to feel “ugly, incompetent and embarrassed.”

Mr English, 19, alleges Mr Mutton, the manager of the Kwik Save store in Whittlesey, Cambs, refused his requests for a ladder to help him stock high shelves.

English, who is suing for discrimination, also alleges that supervisor Vera Barsby called him names such as “lazy little bastard”.

The tribunal, in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, was told Mr English, who is suing for discrimination, also alleges that supervisor Vera Barsby called him names such as “lazy little bastard”.

The tribunal, in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, was told Mr English was forced to walk along the tops of chest freezers in order to restock shelves above the units.

But Mr Mutton, giving evidence today, said that all members of staff including himself had to climb on to the freezers to reach the shelves.

He said: “Sometimes there is no way around it. I’ve walked on freezer tops myself. Nothing has ever happened to make it unsafe.”

Mr English also complained that he was made to stand on a wheeled “kick-stool” which moved about beneath him, in order to serve behind the wines and spirits counter.

Mr Mutton argued he had never seen Mr English serve a full eight-hour shift at the counter and said the stool was safe to stand on.

He said: “It has to be stood on by all members of staff to stock the shelves.”

The hearing was adjourned, with judgement reserved.