'Repeated contact' | Worker sues bosses who sent her birthday card despite not wanting to celebrate it

An employment tribunal has ruled that sending a birthday card to a colleague, who explicitly stated they did not wish to celebrate, could be considered harassment. 

The conclusion was reached in the case of Ms H Toure, a tax worker who successfully sued HMRC after her superiors sent her a birthday card despite her clear objections.

Ms Toure had been on sick leave due to work-related stress - which had been exacerbating the symptoms of a pituitary gland tumour - when she emphasised her desire for minimal contact, specifically requesting correspondence via email only. 

However, in the following month, she was contacted multiple times and received a birthday card, despite previously informing her boss that she did not want such recognition.