A City lawyer who was sexually discriminated against by her boss is suing the firm for �19m. Gill Switalski, 51, of Surrey said the hostile environment forced her to leave her �140,000-a-year job at F&C Assets Management last September. The firm is appealing against an employment tribunal ruling that she was the victim of sex discrimination and harassment by senior management. A ruling on the current hearing is expected later this year. Miss Switalski, who has two disabled children, said since leaving her position as the legal head at the firm the family has been depending on her teacher husband's salary, which is less than �30,000 a year. Giving evidence at the appeal tribunal Miss Switalski said her boss, Marrack Tonkin, took her place at a management committee and left her out of a hedge fund takeover project, which resulted in her losing a part of her bonus. She also said that Mr Tonkin would ask her juniors about her whereabouts and questioned her right to travel in business class and her expenses claims. Miss Switalski's solicitor, Suzanne McKie, said: "This is an individual who prefers the company of men and prefers working with them. "She was a senior woman older than Mr Tonkin and he had a particular difficulty working with her in that position." She also said her boss' behaviour made it an intimidating environment for her to work in. The hearing continues.
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This is an individual who prefers the company of men and prefers working with them
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