'Fat' & 'bald' | Hospital receptionist awarded £19k after 'banter' with security guard ended in assault

A hospital receptionist who was allegedly attacked by a security guard after their workplace ‘banter’ spiralled out of control has won more than £19,000 in compensation from an NHS trust.

Mr Ben Murphy, who worked in the A&E department of Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust, was involved in a physical altercation with a security guard in July 2021.

The tribunal heard that the pair had engaged in ongoing banter, which took a turn when personal insults escalated, culminating in a confrontation. Mr Murphy, who insisted he was acting in self-defence, was later suspended for 18 weeks before receiving a written warning. He ultimately resigned, arguing that he had been unfairly treated.

The employment tribunal ruled against claims of wrongful dismissal, but did rule in Mr Murphy’s favour on the grounds of health and safety detriment, finding that the decision to suspend him was unfair.