A 64-year-old dental nurse, Maureen Howieson, has won £25,000 in compensation after an employment tribunal ruled she was bullied and isolated by a colleague at a dental clinic in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Howieson, who had dedicated over 40 years to dentistry, said she was repeatedly undermined by co-worker Jisna Iqbal at Great Junction Dental Practice. The tribunal heard that Iqbal would often roll her eyes when Howieson spoke, ignore her, and refuse to cooperate, creating a toxic work atmosphere.

Due to arthritis, Howieson had been reassigned to reception duties, but instead of support, she felt increasingly disrespected. By September 2024, the situation had left her in tears at work and even triggered a panic attack. She told colleagues she felt “reduced to being a cleaner” and described the workplace as hostile.

Despite raising her concerns, management failed to act. Matters worsened when Iqbal refused to leave the reception area during one of Howieson’s shifts, further heightening the tension. The final straw came in October when Howieson was incorrectly underpaid, leading her to resign.

In his ruling, Judge Ronald Mackay criticised the clinic’s failure to address her complaints, calling it an “unacceptable omission.” He said the clinic’s inaction and broken assurances directly contributed to the hostile environment and Howieson’s eventual resignation.

The tribunal concluded that Howieson had been subjected to “rude, isolating, bullying, and belittling behaviour” that breached workplace standards, making her entitled to the £25,000 payout.

This case serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing workplace grievances promptly to prevent toxic environments that can damage both staff well-being and organisational reputation.