Why was this conductor ever accused of bullying?
NewsUK musicians have been greatly heartened by the verdict of a London employment tribunal this week that Mark Shanahan’s dismissal by the National Opera Studio was unfair.
Mark had been accused of ‘intimidating, bullying and possibly discriminatory’ behaviour towards young musicians by its chief executive Emily Gottlieb. The charge seemed extreme. Other institutions where Mark Shanahan quietly continued his employment. His victory at the tribunal raises questions about Gottlieb’s judgement.
She has since moved on to be CEO at Longborough Festival Opera. Let’s hope there’s no suspicion of bullying among the cowpats.
“Despite ruling in Shanahan’s favour, Judge Reed said that he had displayed “blameworthy conduct” during his employment.
He said that if Shanahan that had remained in employment, there was a 40% chance that he would have been fairly dismissed in any event.
“The claimant contributed to the dismissal by blameworthy conduct and it is just and equitable to reduce the compensatory award by 15%,” Judge Reed said.”