WorldFirst faces tribunal over harassment claim

AN employee of billionaire Jack Ma-owned WorldFirst is taking it to an industrial tribunal over claims of harassment and discrimination after the London fintech was contacted by the information regulator over issues with data practices, the Standard can reveal.

- Simon Hunt

The manager in the HR department, who suffers from a physical disability, claims that the company was negligent in its duty of care towards her after details about her condition were inappropriately shared with other employees and third parties.

The six-figure legal claim marks the latest challenge facing Ma's Ant Group, which acquired WorldFirst in 2019 in a deal thought to be worth more than $700 million (£550 million).

In July last year, Ant Group was fined around £800 million by the Chinese financial regulator after it was accused of violating rules on corporate governance, financial consumer protection, payment and settlement business as well as anti-money laundering obligations.