A 64-year-old dental nurse has been awarded £25,254 in compensation after an employment tribunal found she was subjected to persistent bullying at work.
Maureen Howieson, who had more than 40 years of experience in dentistry, worked primarily on reception at Edinburgh’s Great Junction Dental Practice due to arthritis.
Tensions arose soon after the arrival of Jisna Iqbal, a dental therapist and qualified dentist in India, who was not yet licensed to practise in the UK.
Tribunal documents revealed that Iqbal repeatedly undermined Howieson, rolling her eyes when she spoke, refusing tasks, and even dismissing requests—once saying she was “a dentist” when asked to clean a toilet before inspection. Another dentist, Daniela Siersch, backed Howieson’s account.
The situation escalated in October 2024 when Howieson suffered a panic attack at work and resigned.
The tribunal found the practice had failed to act despite acknowledging “issues with Mrs Iqbal before.”
Judge Ronald Mackay ruled that the clinic created a “hostile working environment” and committed “multiple repudiatory breaches” of contract, leading to constructive dismissal.
The National Bullying Helpline notes that workplace bullying often involves repeated belittling or intimidation and stresses that employers have a duty of care to ensure a safe environment.
LADbible Group has contacted both Iqbal and the practice for comment.
