HBOS manager in £1m sex claim

A bank manager who claims that her bosses accused her of having sex with a client and suggested that cleaning was women's work has launched a sex discrimination claim against Halifax Bank of Scotland (HBOS) for up to £1m.

Mona Awad, 29, corporate bank manager at HBOS plc in Nottingham, alleges that she became a victim of bullying, sexist and racist behaviour after starting work at the bank in April 2007. At an employment tribunal next week, Ms Awad will claim that an HBOS employee accused her during a staff meeting of "shagging" one of her clients.

A second bank employee allegedly asked her if she could "handle two men", and hinted that a colleague had been watching her in her bikini when she was on holiday. He is also alleged to have stated that cleaning work should be reserved for women. Ms Awad's lawyer, Equal Justice, said her claim for damages ran into six figures.

Ms Awad, who is married, complained to HBOS plc that two employees had both harassed her. She alleged that one had falsely accused her of "shagging" a client, and had also lifted her trouser leg in front of other staff to demonstrate what he would consider to be indecent. She also claimed that he made lewd comments about her colleagues and once described a female banking client as a "tall blonde with big tits".

According to Ms Awad, the other employee asked her whether she could "handle two men", tried to "micro-manage" her by searching for her in the ladies' toilet when she took a break, and inferred that cleaning was women's work. "It was a sexist culture ... in which staff were afraid to speak out," Ms Awad said. She also accused one of the men of making racist and anti-Islamic comments during Ramadan.

Following an investigation, the bank upheld her complaints and took disciplinary action against the two men. Ms Awad said: "I expected them to be dismissed for gross misconduct. However, [one] was allowed to resign ... and [the other] left by mutual agreement.

"It is just a boys' club. Even when witnesses confirmed what I said was true, neither [man] was sacked. I pity any woman they work with in the future."

HBOS accepted that the incidents took place but denied liability for the actions of the two men, saying it took all reasonable steps to prevent the discrimination from occurring.

Ms Awad's claim will be heard at the Nottingham employment tribunal on Wednesday. Last night, a spokesman for HBOS said it did not comment on individuals or ongoing cases.