Sex-bias worker to get pounds 15,000

A FORMER car dealer yesterday won pounds 15,000 compensation after he was dismissed by an employer who replaced male salesmen with an all-female team.

Michael Smith won his case that he was the victim of sexual discrimination after the tribunal was shown an advert placed by the company which claimed its all-female sales staff was the key to its success.

Mr Smith, 34, of Monkspath, Solihull, West Midlands, was dismissed from his job as a salesman with Colmore Depot in Hall Green, Birmingham, after the business was taken over by car firm Swithland Motors in March 1991.

He claimed the advert showed the firm was pursuing a policy of only employing female sales staff. 'The girls are polite and bubbly, friendly and reliable,' it said.

Mr Smith said he did not expect to receive all of the pounds 15,000 because Swithland had gone into receivership.