Published date: February 3, 2024, 12:01h.
Last update date: February 3, 2024, 07:11.
A former dancer at London’s Playboy Club Casino has been hired as a legal secretary by a male lawyer who is the venue’s boss.
However, the woman who worked at the casino while studying for a master’s degree in Law was never paid for her subsequent work. Instead, he was told that his new employer was “God” and that he was “an obedient little slave creature,” according to court records. Employment Judge Anne Martin called the case “extraordinary.”
The woman, referred to only as “BR” during the trial, was awarded £18,000 ($23,000) in compensation for hurt feelings, approximately £5,000 ($6,000) in unpaid wages, plus £5,000 in interest.
Top Law Firm
The deceased lawyer, referred to only as “AD” in applications at the Playboy Club, appealed to BR. He invited her to work as his personal secretary at Eldwick Law, a London-based boutique disputes law firm dealing with high-end clients. At the time, AD was a consultant solicitor at Eldwick.
BR claimed he was offered a base salary of £14,000 ($18,000) per annum, four days a week, plus a bonus of 10% of everything he billed and received, plus 5% of what AD billed and received .
AD told him that his background in London nightlife would be an asset as he could entertain and work with high-net-worth clients and accompany them to swanky restaurants and bars.
He commented via WhatsApp message “God” and “slave” and explained that this was the only way he could “fulfill his potential”.
The court heard that after researching Eldwick, BR was excited about the prospect of working with them.
But as she was heading to Eldwick’s office on her first day, AD called her and told her to come to his house instead. He then worked either there or from home.
Harassment and Victimization
After all, BR never went to the firm’s offices, met any of its employees, or received a contract from Eldwick. An earlier court had ruled that he had never been employed by Eldwick and was therefore not liable to any compensation from the firm. Instead, he worked for AD, although he did not receive any payment from him.
BR admitted that he had been “pretty naive” throughout the process.
The court found that the deceased lawyer was guilty of breach of contract, breach of duty to provide a written statement of work, and guilty of sexual harassment and victimization.
According to court records, AD was arrested by police after going to BR’s home and attacking her and her four-year-old son.
