Update from Jo Phoenix

[Imnobody4]

Sorry can't find the previous thread. I thought someone might like to attend. 18 witnesses!! Bet that's just a tactic to intimidate.

https://twitter.com/JoPhoenix1/status/1692558010323702045?t=O8s-xIF3iu564FVwyaYEhg&s=19

NEWSFLASH

45 days to go.

I received news this week that the venue for my hearing has changed. It is now at Watford Tribunal Centre, 2nd floor, Radius House, 51 Clarendon Road, Watford. It will be in an open court (i.e. members of the public are allowed to attend). The dates remain the same.

The case starts on 2nd October with reading and preliminary issues. Evidence-giving starts on 3rd October. At present, I still do not know the exact number of witnesses the OU is calling. In the preliminary case hearing, the OU's representative claimed that they would like to call 18. We are scheduled to exchange witness statements at the end of next week (25th August) and it is then that I will know if all of those 18 witnesses are, indeed, being called to give evidence.

Email update from Jo today to say she settled with the OU. So no remedies hearing. No details on the settlement.

Just read that - presumably she's had to sign an NDA as part of the settlement? Won't make much difference - the OU was spectacularly outed for employing some deeply unprofessional and unpleasant employees - all evidenced in that devastating judgement.

Very pleased for her that it's finally come to an end.

Well done Jo

I hope she gets a great big glass of wine. Cheers, Jo. Well done.

I think she should go for the most gorgeously extravagant pair of specs she can find 😎.
Well done, Prof. Jo, your courage is inspiring.

Kaching. Thanks Prof.

NumberTheory · Today 13:43

Email update from Jo today to say she settled with the OU. So no remedies hearing. No details on the settlement.

That says to me that they absolutely know that they haven't even got a stump to try to stand on.

MrsOvertonsWindow · Today 13:48

Just read that - presumably she's had to sign an NDA as part of the settlement?

That would be quite amusing, seeing as all their vileness is out in the wild already.

Seconding all of this.

That's great that it's reached a conclusion.

That's good news, thank heavens it's all over for Jo. I hope she can relax now. Agree about the glasses and hope she gets a really fancy pair.

Well done Jo. It must be such a relief. Bet it feels odd though, after so long. Like having a heavy weight removed. You feel like you can fly.

JO's announcement doesn't seem like there is an NDA
UPDATE:

The @OpenUniversity and I have agreed a settlement. My legal case against them has now come to a conclusion. I am relieved that there is no need for a remedies hearing.

As you know, the panel found in my favour. I am sad that it took nearly 5 years of my life, over £230K and an employment tribunal to establish what I knew all along which is simply this:

Gender affirmative academics need to stop acting unlawfully when it comes to gender critical academics. I would add - they need to grow up and start acting like professionals instead of students playing union politics. There could be legal consequences.

Gender affirmative claims about the 'harms' of our beliefs do not justify their hostility towards us in our workplace and do not stand up in a court of law.

University managers - from VC level down - need to act to protect us against the lies, bullying and harassment of our colleagues. Harassment, discrimination and bullying is not academic debate or free speech and it is our managers' responsibilities to set the tone in universities.

My final words in this update belong to Annie Powell. Thank you. I hope I never need an employment lawyer again but if I do, I know whose door I’ll be knocking on.

Can’t wait for their statement …

So glad for you that it's over, Jo

Mumsnut · Today 18:21

Can’t wait for their statement …

Imagine mosquitos, amplified to the range of a jet engine.

The sheer relief in Jo’s subject header for that email which was titled “It’s over” is so poignant. She’s been through such an ordeal to get here and with such courage. Jo, if you still look at this thread from time to time please know that you are a bright light in a world full of awful news.

Excellent news!