Head chef at Windermere hotel wins sexual harassment case against his former manager
former head chef wins an employment tribunal after experiencing sexual harassment from general manager Andrew Wilson.
The chef, Sam Nunns, joined Windermere Manor Hotel in October 2022 and during his interview, Andrew Wilson congratulated him with a hug, claiming that hugging was common at the hotel and that the staff were like a family, according to The Westmorland Gazette.
Sam Nunns testified that the hugs became more frequent, longer, and increasingly uncomfortable, eventually crossing the line into harassment.
He mentioned that the unwanted behavior began shortly after he disclosed his previous relationship with a boyfriend to Andrew Wilson.
The Westmorland Gazette reported that according to Sam Nunns, the manager engaged in inappropriate behavior such as faking an orgasm while eating the claimant's food, followed by hugging, kissing, and dry-humping.
On one occasion, when Sam Nunns was holding a cucumber Andrew Wilson made suggestive remarks, with the chef initially taking these comments as compliments about his cooking.
Sam Nunns further claimed that Andrew Wilson touched his leg, including his inner thigh, slapped his knee-cap, and at one point placed his fingers on his inner thigh.
However, the manager denied these allegations, except for one incident where he claimed to have touched the chef's leg non-sexually to calm him down during a particular
conversation.
The situation escalated when on November 3, Andrew Wilson allegedly put his hand on Mr. Nunns' bottom while he was in his office, with the chef experiencing a panic attack before shortly calling his mother for support.
Although the chef stated that such incidents occurred regularly throughout his employment, the tribunal limited it to happening twice.
Andrew Wilson denied ever touching Sam Nunns bottom.
In December, Sam Nunns claimed that Andrew Wilson reached under his chef's jacket and "caressed" his nipple.
The chef explained that he was shocked and went outside for a smoke, where he encountered the manager who gave him a suggestive look.
Andrew Wilson denied these allegations.
The chef went on sick leave from March 22, 2022, until his termination on July 22.
The hotel dealt with the allegations internally, and a letter from the Group People Manager, Ms. Flint, urged Andrew Wilson to consider if the physical and tactile environment made everyone feel comfortable.
The letter also advised him not to engage in staff innuendos and kitchen banter.
Although Sam Nunns reported 's behavior to the police, the manager was spoken to but not charged.
The Westmorland Gazette reported that in the tribunal, Sam Nunns expressed offense at Ms. Flint's suggestion that he might have welcomed Mr. Wilson's advances or misconstrued them.
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Head chef at Windermere hotel wins sexual harassment case against his former manager
