A Scottish employment tribunal has ruled that a radio station manager's comment to a junior colleague, "You're my bitch now," did not constitute sex harassment. The tribunal found that the remark was made to assert authority rather than due to the colleague's sex.
Gavin Harper, manager at Coast Radio in Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, made the comment to Craig Milne, a new junior employee, in August 2024. Harper stated he made the remark, which was reportedly taken as a joke by those present, because he felt Milne did not recognize his subordinate position.
Milne, who had joined the community interest company's radio station in May 2024, later sued his employer, WBC Media CIC, for sex harassment and discrimination. He claimed the comment made him feel "degraded and worthless as a person" and sought damages for stress caused by Harper's alleged behaviors and lies.
Milne's lawsuit also cited disagreements over invoices for hours worked, which exceeded his contracted amount. Coast Radio, which could not afford the increased payments, had called a meeting with Milne and Harper to discuss financial procedures. During this meeting, after Milne agreed to have all work requests go through Harper and be pre-costed, Harper made the "you're my bitch now" comment.
Milne did not immediately raise concerns about the comment. However, a week later, after an apparent argument with Harper, Milne formally complained to the directors, accusing Harper of sexual harassment and regular use of degrading language. He also claimed to be seeking counseling for stress caused by Harper's actions.
An investigation was launched, but Milne did not respond to further communications. Coast Radio ceased broadcasting in November 2025.
Employment Judge Melanie Sangster dismissed most of Milne's claims, including direct sex discrimination and harassment related to sex. The judge concluded that Harper's comment was intended to assert authority and reinforce the workplace hierarchy, not because of Milne's sex. The tribunal found no evidence that the comment was of a sexual nature.
However, the company was ordered to pay Milne £1,406 for unlawfully deducted wages. The ruling stated that "In context, the comment was not conduct of a sexual nature: [Mr Harper] was asserting that [Mr Milne] was subordinate to him in the hierarchy."