'I want an attractive lady flatmate who cooks and cleans': Employee disciplined for sexist email to female colleagues

The comments were made by Mr Eley, 30, in an email to female colleagues, asking for a woman flatmate who was 'reasonable to look at' and would be prepared to 'clean the whole apartment once a week' and the kitchen every day.

He said the new tenant would have to cook for him if he worked late, adding: 'Nothing difficult, something like sausage and mash'.

Email backfires: Paul Eley, pictured dancing with a woman, sent an email to female colleagues asking for an attractive lady flatmate who can cook and clean

The new flatmate would 'sometimes' be allowed to watch what she wanted on TV and would be allowed friends around - 'as long as they are women'.

He also stipulated the lady would have to leave at a month's notice if he suddenly found a 'serious' girlfriend who wanted to move in.

Mr Eley, a fiduciary administrator, made the request in two emails he sent to co-workers at investment company Concept Group Limited in Guernsey.

The email was sent around the office on Tuesday but later leaked and forwarded to hundreds of people around the island.

Mr Eley insisted it was a 'joke' but after several complaints he was disciplined by company directors and warned the comments were sexist.

One source said: 'Nobody was sure if he was trying to be funny or not - it was either a bad joke or the most sexist thing ever written.

'Most women in the office didn't see the funny side and he was hauled in to the boardroom and given a proper dressing down for sexist behaviour.

'The email was sent to hundreds of people and management didn't see the funny side. There were rumours going around he might get sacked.'

Speaking today, Mr Eley said he had not meant to cause offence.

'It was only meant as a joke and was not meant to be anything serious.'

The Concept Group Ltd is a financial solutions firm offering accountancy services, investments, shares, tax management and trusts.

First email, sent at 2.13pm: 'New Flatmate'

Hi Everyone

I am looking for a new flatmate as my old one has now left. Could you pass this on to anyone you might think would be interested.

I don't need any rent from any potential flatmate, so it will be rent free. The only thing they would pay for is their own food.

I am looking for a girl flatmate between 18 years old and 26 years old. Preferably someone who is very tidy and reasonable nice to look at.

Instead of paying rent I would expect them to do the following.

Clean the whole apartment once a week. Clean the kitchen every day and keep it tidy.

Do some of my washing and ironing. Occasionally cook for me on a week day if I am working late (nothing difficult something like sausages and mash).

It would not be a permanent arrangement because if I had a serious permanent girlfriend they would have to move out.

I would give them one month's notice so they had time to find somewhere else.

If you know anyone who would be interested let me know and I will meet them to see if I can get on with them.

Thank you, Paul.

Second email, sent later that day: 'Additional things that I forgot to mention'

1. Nice sea view, you can see from Herm to Cobo, can see sea all around Island east to West and see France on a nice day.

2. I will cook for them sometimes.

3. I will take them out to restaurants sometimes when I don't want to cook.

4. They can use internet on my computer as much as they want because it is broadband.

5. They can watch the TV in the lounge and I will allow them to watch what they want sometimes.

6. They can have other friends round as long as they are women.