A FORMER Redditch community official has lost a compensation claim against the borough council after alleging bullying forced her to leave her job.

A Birmingham Employment Tribunal decided there was not enough evidence to establish the allegation and dismissed the compensation claim for constructive dismissal by Samantha Cox, of Well Close, Crabbs Cross.

But tribunal chairman Nigel Beard criticised the council for taking too long to investigate Ms Cox's complaints.

The tribunal was told Ms Cox had been employed by Redditch Council for eight years. She complained staff made insulting remarks and caused her worry and stress.

When her manager left, Ms Cox also decided to leave because she feared she would no longer have any support. She said the bullying affected her mental condition - causing her to give up her job in March.

Sophie Garner, representing Redditch Council, said the council opposed the claim and denied the allegation of bullying.

After a four-day hearing Mr Beard said there was not enough evidence to establish the bullying allegation. Nor was there evidence that Ms Cox's mental health was being affected by the environmental situation.

"She was obviously unhappy and upset but it appears she resigned from her job because her manager had left," said Mr Beard.

He said, however, that the council had been involved in long delays in looking into Ms Cox's complaints.

"If the Council had dealt with Ms Cox's grievances earlier then there may not have been a need for a tribunal hearing."

After Mr Beard dismissed Ms Cox's compensation claim Miss Garner made a claim for costs against Ms Cox. Miss Garner said the council had tried to co-operate with Ms Cox in preventing the tribunal case from going ahead because the council realised that she had no chance of winning.

Miss Garner said costs were being sought because the Council was a public organisation using public funds.

After a brief adjournment the tribunal rejected awarding costs. "Awarding costs is unusual rather than routine and is left to the tribunal panel's discretion," said Mr Beard. Ms Cox had conducted her own case and had not been legally represented.