Staff member ‘burst into tears’ over uncertainty about job

By Martin Graham

A CHURCH of Scotland boss told an employment tribunal today how a member of staff had had ‘burst into tears’ because she was so upset about the risk of losing her job.

Patricia Johnston at the tribunal

Kenneth Ross was giving evidence at the tribunal raised by Patricia Johnston, 57, from Sauchie, Alloa, who is is claiming unfair dismissal from her post as China Field Officer with the Church’s World Mission international division, a post she had held since 2000.

Mr Ross was head of the World Mission department which underwent a re-structuring process in 2005.

The post held by Ms Johnston was funded by the church but had its role defined by a group called the Scottish China Churches Group, a coalition of religious groups operating in China.