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Video games designer sues Microsoft over 'Fag Boy' jibes at work
Tim Stewart24 Mar 2009
A GAY graphic designer who allegedly suffered homophobic abuse at work is suing Microsoft for £45,000 for "hurt feelings" and lost pay.
Jamie Durrant, 38, says he was branded "Fag Boy Jim" and there was a "homophobic attitude" within the computing giant. Mr Durrant, of Godalming, Surrey, who earns £50,000 a year designing video games for the Xbox 360 console, is suing Microsoft at London south employment tribunal for discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.
He said mocking emails were sent around his workplace with headings such as "I'm Jim and I'm Gay" and "Me and My Favourite Men". He said the firm did not have policies to deal with his complaints.
Mr Durrant, who has worked for 11 years at Lionhead Studios in Guildford, bought by Microsoft two years ago, said the emails began in January last year. He has been off sick for depression on half pay for seven months. Mr Durrant said he complained to human resources chiefs and agreed not to raise a formal grievance to avoid creating an "uneasy atmosphere".
He instead agreed to an email from HR reminding staff of "how to behave responsibly in a diverse office" but, after months went by, he was told the firm would have to draw up new policies before any such email could be sent. He was asked to sign a document agreeing not to raise a formal grievance and confirming he was happy his complaint was being dealt with, but he refused. By then, another abusive message was put up in the staff kitchen, he said.
Mr Durrant said HR chiefs "blatantly disregarded" his complaint. He was offered counselling but said: "They're making out that I'm the one with the problem." Microsoft denies his claims and declined to comment.
Reader views (7)
People go to work to work, not to be abused, this is a prime example of bullying.
- Rob, London, 25/03/2009 10:24
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It's pretty sad that people have to be forced to behave in a way that should be dictated by common sense and courtesy.
- Cary Portway, New York, NY, 24/03/2009 22:39
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I'm not a real doctor but it does seem odd that a chap can be diagnosed with depression for being called gay when he is, in fact, gay. Maybe just being gay gets him down?
- Keith, Kings Cross, London, UK, 24/03/2009 16:16
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If the content of the article is true then Mr Durrant clearly worked with his employer to solve the issue. It appears that even with his efforts to sort this the employer failed him.
He has every right to take this to tribunal.
As for people that feel he is scrounging, it seems to me you would be the sort making the so called harmless jokes!
- Stuart, UK, 24/03/2009 14:25
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If this is what has happened and he can prove all of this then he's dead right to take his employer to court.
A job is where you go to work and not put up with bullying or abuse. Surely this is akin to racist behaviour and is totally unacceptable
- Mark, St Albans, 24/03/2009 13:44
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Oh man up Jim, oh sorry is it ok to say such a heterosexual comment without someone calling HR and accusing me of being a homophobe.
Typical modern day scrounger taking advantage of our Nanny state.
I hope he gets nothing.
- Greg, Wimbledon, 24/03/2009 13:20
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Oh no, someone hurt his feelings. Diddums.
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, Hants, 24/03/2009 12:18
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