The case concerned an employee - senior accounts clerk with 40 years of experience, who, after a change of supervisor, started receiving more tasks that had no relation to her position, e.g. bringing milk for coffee. Moreover, the claimant received discriminatory comments from her manager suggesting that she should retire.

The turning point, when the claimant decided to hand in her notice of termination, was when she was transferred to do manual work in closing down the archive. What is essential is that whilst carrying out her tasks in the archive, her work was assessed by two trainees.

The Regional Court held that the compensation awarded was not excessive, as, given the intensity of the events, it had to be of such value that the claimant regained her self-confidence. The Court also emphasised that the retirement age affected the amount of compensation awarded, as the events related to the claimant’s last workplace would remain in her memory for the rest of her life.

You can read the judgment here.