TheQuartering [3/2/2021]
A man was told to “man up” and just carry some boxes (because that’s what men should do) even though he had a hernia.
A laboratory scientist is suing the “woman-dominated” firm where he worked, claiming that his female boss told him to “man up”.
Daniel Price alleges that “extreme discrimination against males” made the company a “toxic workplace”.
He claims that his manager Ashleigh Knowles told him “men are less organized” and that he was repeatedly ordered to “go away” during “girls-only” conversations.
Mr Price says he was the only worker instructed to carry boxes, being told “because you’re a man”.
He once refused, due to a hernia, but was ordered to “man up and get on with it, it’s only a few boxes”, a tribunal heard.
Mr Price was dismissed last May after 16 months with food-test specialists PiQ in Ebbw Vale, South Wales.
An employment judge in Cardiff ruled he has an “arguable case” for sex discrimination and ordered a full hearing.
The tribunal heard that lab manager Ms Knowles said of a new appointment: “More than likely it’ll be a girl, as women tend to be better and more organized in the lab.”
She then allegedly told Mr Price: “You’re lucky to have your job, as everyone was shocked that it was a guy being employed.
“We normally only employ females because men are less organized.”