INSTITUTE of Travel and Tourism chief executive Linda Gibson has been suspended on full pay after being found guilty by an employment tribunal of racial discrimination against former employee Gina Superville (Travel Weekly September 20).
Gibson could be forced to leave the organisation if an internal disciplinary hearing later this month also goes against her.
ITT chairman Carol Dray said:”We are viewing the tribunal’s decision against Linda very seriously.”
In a letter to ITT members, Dray also refers to the tribunal’s criticism of Gibson’s “people management”. Gibson, who has held the top post at the ITT for 14 years, is described in the tribunal’s report as, “king in her own castle, able to run the place exactly as she wished in a totally dictatorial manner.” The report also criticised her attitude during the hearing.
The Bedford employment tribunal heard how Gibson refused accounts administrator Superville a permanent job because she is black. Superville, who is now employed by Gullivers Travel Agency in London, is expected to receive substantial damages.