Eye-Rolling Turns Pricey: UK Nurse Wins Rs 30 Lakh Over Colleague’s Belittling Behaviour

Last Updated:August 30, 2025, 23:25 IST

The nurse claimed that not only did Iqbal, her colleague, frequently disrespect her, but that she also would roll her eyes at her.

The nurse alleged that her colleague disrespected her (Representational image)

A dental nurse has been awarded over £25,254 (approximately Rs 30 lakh) after enduring constant eye-rolling and belittling from a colleague, in a significant employment tribunal ruling.

The decision marks a breakthrough by recognising that actions like eye-rolling can be considered workplace bullying, holding employers responsible for such behaviour. The case also underlines how even small actions can make a work environment harmful and can lead to serious legal consequences, reported The Times.

There was evidence presented to the tribunal about the conflict between Maureen Howieson, a dental nurse, and Jisna Iqbal, a dental therapist who had started working in the practice after its acquisition in early July 2024, suggesting it started to worsen in Iqbal’s early days at the practice.

The newly employed Jisna Iqbal, who was not yet licenced to practice in the UK, started to take over some of the receptionist duties performed by Howieson, a dental nurse who held that position for a number of years.

The Metro reports that Howieson claimed Iqbal was ‘rude and disrespectful’ in their encounters. She claimed that not only did Iqbal frequently disrespected her, but that she also would roll her eyes at her. While Iqbal denied it, the tribunal panel believed Howieson’s account of events.

Things got worse in September 2024, when Howieson allegedly started crying at work. She told a co worker she felt she had been ‘downgraded to a cleaner.’ The situation was serious enough that a meeting with Dr. Fary Johnson Vithayathil, the clinic’s owner, was necessary.

Things escalated when Iqbal allegedly stopped leaving the reception area on the day Howieson was supposed to start her shift. Iqbal was supposed to meet with Dr. Vithayathil’s wife to get the issue resolved with Iqbal, the business manager, but that meeting did not happen.

Howieson also experienced a panic attack as a result of the mounting stress.

United Kingdom (UK)

News world Eye-Rolling Turns Pricey: UK Nurse Wins Rs 30 Lakh Over Colleague’s Belittling Behaviour

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