Tribunal rejects M&S bra fitter’s claim over colleague dispute

A tribunal dismissed Elif Archbold’s claim against Marks & Spencer, ruling that conflict with fellow bra fitter Lesley Payne was not racially motivated. The case matters because it examined Archbold’s allegation that she had been bullied and discriminated against at work, but found the dispute arose from a dysfunctional relationship between colleagues.

Archbold, who is Turkish, worked mainly in the Stirling store’s lingerie department from 2008 and had term-time-only hours. Payne, a trained bra fitter with 20 years’ service, was described as sometimes abrupt and dismissive; tensions included a dispute over Archbold’s early start, break times and a failed mediation. After a further disagreement in March 2024, Archbold was moved to footwear, which she said left her feeling humiliated; the tribunal found the women’s relationship involved mutual distrust and misunderstandings.