Prof Jo Phoenix vs The OU - Employment Tribunal Thread 2

[ickky]

Abbreviations

JP - Jo Phoenix, Claimant (C)
OU - The Open University, Respondent (R)
J - Regional Employment Judge Young
P - Panel or panel member
BC - Ben Cooper KC, Counsel for C
JM - Jane Mulcahy KC, Counsel for R

OU Departments & Networks:

HWSRA - Health & Wellbeing Strategic Research Area
FASS - Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
SPC - Dept of Social Policy & Criminology
KMi - Knowledge Media Institute
GCRN - Gender Critical Research Network

OU witnesses

CW - Chris Williams, Senior Lecturer History
CT - Catherine Tomlinson, Senior Student Advisor
SE - Sarah Earle, Prof of Medical Sociology, Director HWSRA 2016-22
DD - Dr Deborah Drake, Senior Lecturer Criminology, Head of SPC 2018-21
LW - Louise Westmarland, Prof of Criminology, Co-Deputy Head SPC, 2018-21, Current Head SPC
LD - Dr Leigh Downes, Senior Lecturer in Criminology (in SPC), Academic Lead for EDI FASS 2019-21
PB - Dr Paraskevi Boukli, Former Senior Lecturer Criminology, Deputy Head SPC 2021-22
MW - Prof Marcia Wilson, Dean EDI, 2020-23
CM - Caragh Molloy, Group People Director 2019-23
JD - John Domingue, Prof of Computing Science, Director KMi, 2015-22
PK - Peter Keogh, Professor Health & Society, Member RSSH
CW - Dr Christopher Williams, Senior Lecturer History
SD - Shaun Daley, Head OU’s Resourcing Hub. Head Strategic Resources, Co-Chair OU’s LGBT+ Staff Network
HBC - Helen Bowes-Catton, Lecturer Social Research Methods
NS - Nicola Snarey, Assoc Lecturer Eng Language
NatS - Natalie Starkey, Outreach & Public Engagement Officer Sch Physical Sciences, 2019-22
CT - Cath Tomlinson, Senior Student Advisor
SJ - Samantha Jacobson, Employee Relations Case Manager
RH - Richard Holliman, Prof Engaged Research, Head School Environment, Earth & Ecosystem Sciences, 2019-22. Member of Investigation Panel investigating the C’s grievance

Witness for JP:

SE - Sarah Earle, Professor Modern History Uni of Oxford, Founding member GCRN

Tribunal Tweets - https://twitter.com/tribunaltweets

TT coverage so far https://tribunaltweets.substack.com/p/professor-jo-phoenix-v-the-open-university

Thread 1
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/4905118-jo-phoenix-vs-the-ou-employment-tribunal-2nd-october-whispers-ben-cooper?page=1

Open Justice eh?

I've rejoined with my camera on, but still just get waiting for the conference host to join. I'm not using my full real name, but other people didn't seem to be doing that last week (and I'm blowed if I will).

I had an Internet issue and was kicked out. Rejoined and have been let straight back in so I think it's a verification issue.

JM tone is neutral today. The evidence is difficult to follow because the link to Sarah Earle's witness statement hasn't been posted despite a reminder in the chat.

I had no problems joining last week at any time - thing is, I never spoke to a clerk so I have no idea why last week I was fine and this week I'm persona non grata.

@LarkLane

ffs. Then it rather looks as though this is discrimination in favour of people with common names or no public profile, and against those of us who are immediately googleable if we used our real ones...

Surely it's very different when you're in a crowd of more than a dozen, possibly as many as 20 people? Surrounded by supporters, you are a righteous army against one woman and her brave witness. I'm not going to go into detail but my contact reports how upset and shocked she was by some of the things she overheard some in the OU group in court saying amongst themselves. For a woman who turned up on her own to watch, it was an intimidating experience being surrounded by them — and she was just a silent observer.

Surely in that case the duty of care would best be met by having them there only for the period they're needed, and encouraging them not to observe the other stages?

They can see what happens to people when they speak out, so why the hell would any of us use our real names, and switch our cameras on??
But i daresay, they haven't made that pretty obvious connection.

I always thought having the cameras on was distracting.

Even the Judge from the Mermaids/LGBA tribunal didn't insist on cameras on, as a policy.

My email address is my real one that will take me to my social media, has my full name etc. Plus, most importantly - there is nothing in any of the instructions to say that we have to be verified to be let in. Do people attending in person have to present ID in order to get in the room?

Good info @GCITC , thanks for that.

FWIW I'm in with my name and don't have a public profile as such, but did have to verify with Justin last week.

Barrister sounds very lectury (is this a word!) when addressing the judge. I'm bristling on her behalf.

Judge has intervened to ask JM why is it significant that GCRN was launched without notice.

@Melissamelisante she was last week too. I wonder if there's a bit of history between them from when the judge was a barrister?

I am also clearly persona non grata this week. Why on earth can’t they verify before issuing the access details? They have had plenty of notice. I also feel it discriminates against those of us with caring responsibilities who therefore have to log in and out throughout the day. More discrimination against women in justice!

I had camera off all last week with no issues and I'm using my name but still not in. I've had to give up and try again in a while

Would be nice to have any kind of contact to ask for id verification mind you. Sigh. Maybe I should give up and just read TT later.

JM says it important for judge determining whether there was harassment to know that GCRN came 'out of nowhere' for people and judge needs to understand their reaction.

I'm multitasking with my work PC next to my personal one so it's costing me nothing to keep the window open. Guarantee a colleague will call me when if/when the clerk wants to speak to me.

I'm also going to have to give up and come back later soon too. Are they letting anyone in? How many are in the lobby now?

Same, I have a meeting at 11 though. Where's that link to complain?

@Chrysanthemum5 @Puddlelane123

I'm surprised that you can't get in. I thought it would have been easy peasy since you had access last week?
I'm frustrated for you!

10(!) observers not connected to court in now, 16 in lobby.

16 waiting in the lobby.

It's ridiculous that they have given out so few log-ins to ensure the system can cope, and then aren't even letting those with log-ins have access.