A head midwife was sacked after she referred to overweight women as 'bloaters' and 'whales on a bed', an employment tribunal heard. 'Bully' Jennifer Stillman created an 'awful atmosphere' on the ward as she also made derogatory comments about her fellow staff, the panel heard.
Not only this, but the tribunal learned she was accused of making a racist comment - but later claimed she said 'back' and not 'black'. Student midwives almost felt driven to leave the profession altogether after working under her, with one being reduced to tears, the panel heard.
The junior staff then made a complaint and Mrs Stillman was sacked for gross misconduct. She tried to sue the hospital but the tribunal has now ruled it had been right to fire her.
