The Claimant, who was disabled within the meaning of the Equality Act 2010, was dismissed by the Respondent whilst on sickness absence. An Employment Tribunal found that the Claimant had been unfairly dismissed, contrary to the provisions of the Employment Rights Act 1996. The Tribunal also upheld the Claimant’s claim that her dismissal constituted disability … Continue reading Department of Work and Pensions v Boyers (Disability Discrimination): EAT 24 Jun 2020
Race discrimination which took place after a dismissal was not unlawful within the section, since that first required the context of employment, and after the dismissal, the applicant was no longer in that employment. The natural meaning of the phrase ’employed by him’ in section 4 (2) was confined to persons employed at the time … Continue reading Post Office v Adekeye: CA 13 Nov 1996
All information available to an employer at the date of the termination of the employment relationship is relevant when considering the fairness of dismissal, and also any information becoming available during the course of, for example, an internal appeal, even post-termination, is relevant. An employer may be considered to have acted unfairly if he refuses … Continue reading West Midlands Co-operative Society v Tipton: HL 1986
EAT SUMMARYWas the Tribunal entitled to find that the claimant was disabled within the meaning of the Disability Discrimination Act 1996? In particular, did the Tribunal err in its approach to coping strategies? The EAT held that the Tribunal did misunderstand the significance of coping strategies. Since that error may have affected the Tribunal’s conclusion … Continue reading Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis v Virdi: EAT 18 Oct 2006
EAT Sex Discrimination – Inferring DiscriminationThe claimant sought compenstion for sex discrimination. She appealed a finding of a material factor justifying the difference in pay. Held: The new provisions included reference to the Code of Practice issued by the Equal Opportunities Commission, which provided that the employer should provide a transparent system for setting pay … Continue reading Barton v Investec Henderson Crosthwaite Securities Ltd: EAT 6 Mar 2003
EAT The appellant was disabled. She was found to have been unfairly dismissed and the subject of three acts of disability discrimination. One of these was an alleged failure to consult which was treated as a failure to make a reasonable adjustment, following the decision of the EAT in Mid-Staffordshire General Hospitals NHS Trust v … Continue reading Tarbuck v Sainsbury’s Supermarkets: EAT 8 Jun 2006
The employer appealed against findings of unfair dismissal and disability discrimination. The employee worked in IT. He was profoundly deaf, but could lip read and read sign language. He had been accused of obtaining improper access to a senior staff member’s emails. During the disciplinary hearing, he had been assisted by an interpreter for part … Continue reading Taylor v OCS Group Ltd: CA 31 May 2006
DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION – Compensation DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION – Loss/mitigation DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION – Burden of proof The Law Reform (Contributory Negligence) Act 1945 can apply to some discrimination claims, but reduction of an award for contributory negligence would rarely, if ever, be justified because of the difficulties in applying the concept of ‘fault’ to the victim of … Continue reading First Greater Western Ltd and Another v Waiyego: EAT 6 Dec 2018
The Industrial Tribunal only has jurisdiction to consider and rule upon the act or acts of which complaint is made to it. The questions on a complaint of race discrimination are: (a) Did the act complained of actually occur? (b) If the act complained of occurred in time, was there a difference in race involving … Continue reading Qureshi v Victoria University of Manchester: EAT 21 Jun 1996
The dismissal by a Roman Catholic school of a teacher who was pregnant by a priest, was on the grounds of pregnancy, and for an inadmissible reason. The pregnancy was an effective cause of the adverse treatment of the Appellant by her employer. Judges: Mummery P Citations: Gazette 12-Sep-1996, Times 07-Jun-1996, [1996] IRLR 372, [1996] … Continue reading O’Neill v Governors of St Thomas More Roman Catholic Voluntary Aided Upper School: EAT 7 Jun 1996
EAT DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION – Section 15 DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION – Reasonable adjustments UNFAIR DISMISSAL -Reasonableness of dismissal Disability discrimination – discrimination by means of unfavourable treatment because of something arising in consequence of disability – section 15 Equality Act 2010 Disability discrimination – discrimination by means of a failure to comply with a duty to make … Continue reading Birmingham City Council v Lawrence (Disability Discrimination): EAT 2 Jun 2017
EAT Practice and Procedure: Estoppel or Abuse of Process – DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION – Reasonable adjustments DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION – Section 15 HARASSMENT DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION – Exclusions/jurisdictions UNFAIR DISMISSAL – Reasonableness of dismissal Practice and procedure – estoppel; disability discrimination reasonable adjustments (sections 20 and 21 Equality Act 2010); discrimination arising from the consequences of disability (section … Continue reading London Borough of Haringey v O’Brien: EAT 22 Dec 2016
EAT Disability Discrimination – Section 15 DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION – Justification UNFAIR DISMISSAL – Reasonableness of dismissal Appeal Disability discrimination – unfavourable treatment because of something arising from the consequences of disability – justification – section 15 Equality Act 2010 (‘EqA’) The Claimant – Head of English at a secondary comprehensive school operated by the Respondent … Continue reading City of York Council v Grosset: EAT 1 Nov 2016
The case concerns the extent of a housing authority’s duty of inquiry, in light of the public sector equality duty set out in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, into whether an applicant for homelessness assistance has a disability requiring special arrangements to be made. Black, Beatson, Sales LJJ [2016] EWCA Civ 1137 Bailii … Continue reading Birmingham City Council v Wilson: CA 17 Nov 2016
EAT Disability Discrimination: Disability Related Discrimination – Reasonable adjustments – UNFAIR DISMISSAL – Reasonableness of dismissal – The Tribunal below was required under a decision of the Appeal Tribunal, subsequently (after the Tribunal’s decision) found by the Court of Appeal to have been in error, to apply the wrong comparison when determining claims for breach … Continue reading Perratt v The City of Cardiff Council: EAT 28 Jun 2016
EAT Jurisdictional Points: Claim In Time and Effective Date of Termination – JURISDICTIONAL POINTS – Extension of time: reasonably practicable – Unfair dismissal – early conciliation – whether claim brought in time – section 207B(4) Employment Rights Act 1996 (as amended) (‘ERA’) – The effective date of termination of the Claimant’s employment had been 20 … Continue reading Tanveer v East London Bus and Coach Company Ltd: EAT 8 Feb 2016
Practice and Procedure: Appellate Jurisdiction/Reasons/Burns-Barke – PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Perversity PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Disposal of appeal including remission UNFAIR DISMISSAL – Constructive dismissal DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION – Reasonable adjustments Bias – perversity – inadequacy of reasons Incorrect approach to disability discrimination/reasonable adjustments claim under sections 20 and 21 Equality Act 2010 and in approach … Continue reading R v W: EAT 27 Jan 2016
EAT JURISDICTIONAL POINTS – Worker, employee or neitherDISABILITY DISCRIMINATION – DisabilityAn Employment Tribunal dismissed claims for holiday pay and unfair dismissal apparently on the basis that the Claimant was not a worker within the Working Time Regulations nor an employee within s.230 Employment Rights Act 1996. The principal reason for doing so was a lack … Continue reading Dakin v Brighton Marina Residential Management Company Ltd and Another (Disability Discrimination : Disability): EAT 26 Apr 2013
The court considered whether discriminatory acts after the termination of employment were caught by the respective anti-discrimination Acts. The acts included a failure to give proper references. They pursued claims on the basis of victimisation after their primary discrimination claims. Held: The 1975 and 1976 Acts were similarly phrased and the wording in the 1995 … Continue reading Relaxion Group plc v Rhys-Harper; D’Souza v London Borough of Lambeth; Jones v 3M Healthcare Limited and three other actions: HL 19 Jun 2003
The appellant had occupied for a long time a room in a house let by the authority. After the death of the tenant, the appellant sought, but was refused, a statutory tenancy. He claimed to be a member of the tenant’s family, and that the list of family relationships in section 113 was not exhaustive. … Continue reading Michalak v London Borough of Wandsworth: CA 6 Mar 2002
The claimant had been summarily dismissed. His application at first made no mention of a complaint that it had related to his trades union activities. He wrote to the secretary seeking amendment of his claim to include a claim that his dismissal was automatically unfair by reason of those activities. By this time the three … Continue reading Selkent Bus Co Ltd v Moore: EAT 2 May 1996
One claimant said that as a foreign resident pensioner, she had been excluded from the annual uprating of state retirement pension, and that this was an infringement of her human rights. Another complained at the lower levels of job-seeker’s allowance payable to those under 25. Held: (Lord Carswell dissented in part.) The claims failed. The … Continue reading Carson, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions; Reynolds v Same: HL 26 May 2005
EAT Disability Discrimination – Section 15 HARRASSMENT UNFAIR DISMISSAL – Constructive dismissal Equality Act 2010 (‘EqA’) sections 15 (unfavourable treatment because of something arising in consequence of disability) and 26 (harassment) Employment Rights Act 1996 sections 95(1)(c) (constructive dismissal) and 98 (unfair dismissal) On the Claimant’s claims of discrimination under sections 15 and 26 EqA … Continue reading Private Medicine Intermediaries Ltd v Hodkinson and Another: EAT 15 Jan 2016
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Against a background of disciplinary proceedings alleging threats by the employee, and allegations of harassment, she was dismissed for ill health. She requested an adjustment to the procedures to allow her to give written evidence after advice from her doctor about the inadvisability of attending a hearing for her health. When this was refused, she … Continue reading Johnson and Johnson Medical Ltd v Filmer: EAT 20 Sep 2001
The applicant was a roadsweeper. She complained of disability discrimination, when after becoming unable to walk, her employer after considering her for other posts dismissed her for incapacity. Held: The ability to walk was a part of the irreducible minimum capacity required of the job. The Code of Practice could not be used as an … Continue reading Archibald v Fife Council: IHCS 9 Dec 2003
Complaint was made within time limit when the decision complained of was a reconsideration of an earlier decision, not just a reference back to it. Held: In a sex discrimination case, where there has been a constructive dismissal, time runs from the date of the employer’s breach and not from the date of the employee’s … Continue reading Cast v Croydon College: CA 19 Mar 1998
EAT Unfair Dismissal : Constructive Dismissal – DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION – Reasonable adjustmentsClaimant suffered personality disorder and was disabled for the purposes of DDA. He was suspended for misconduct in November 2009 and was still suspended a year later when he resigned.The Employment Tribunal found in his favour on disability discrimination claims based on ‘reasonable adjustments’ … Continue reading The Carphone Warehouse Ltd v Martin: EAT 12 Feb 2013
The claimant succeeded in her claim for unfair dismissal, but now appealed against the reversal of the decision by the EAT. She had been dismissed for incapability to which she had contributed by her conduct. She had refused a move to another bank of the branch which would upset her child care arrangements. She was … Continue reading McAdie v Royal Bank of Scotland: CA 31 Jul 2007
EAT Deposit ordered. Order lost in post due to the Claimant putting wrong post-code on ET1. Review. Distinguishing Judgments from Orders. Strike-out. Extending time. Judges: His Honour Peter Clark Citations: [2005] UKEAT 0318 – 05 – 2907, UKEAT/0319/05/TM, UKEAT/0318/05/TM, [2005] ICR 1647, UKEAT/0320/05/TM, [2005] IRLR 836 Links: Bailii, EATn Statutes: Employment Tribunal Rules 2004 20(1) … Continue reading Sodexho Ltd v Gibbons: EAT 14 Jul 2005
This appeal concerns the directly effective right of police officers under EU law to have the principle of equal treatment applied to them. The question raised is whether the enforcement of that right by means of proceedings in the Employment Tribunal is barred by the principle of judicial immunity, where the allegedly discriminatory conduct is … Continue reading P v Commissioner of Police of The Metropolis: SC 25 Oct 2017
EAT JURISDICTIONAL POINTS – Worker, employee or neitherAppeal by an Army Cadet Force Adult Instructor from the judgment of an Employment Judge sitting alone that he was a volunteer and not in ’employment’ as defined by s68(1) Disability Discrimination Act 1995 as amended. Appeal dismissed. The Employment Judge was correct as his factual findings were … Continue reading Breakell v West Midlands Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association Named As Shropshire Army Cadet Force: EAT 11 Apr 2011
EAT PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE Application/claim AmendmentVICTIMISATION DISCRIMINATION An originating application must be read as a whole to ascertain whether it contains a particular complaint. The Claimant who was black and dyslexic completed an ET1 without legal assistance. He ticked the Disability and the Race boxes in paragraph 6.1. In the particulars of complaint in Box … Continue reading Baker v The Commissioner of Police of The Metropolis: EAT 5 Feb 2010
The claimant sought damages after his treatment as a disabled person whilst held in immigration detention centres. The court dismissed his claim on the basis of Amin. Held: The application of the Amin case was too simplistic. The various services provided at the detention centre were only to some extent purely governmental. A disabled person … Continue reading Gichura v Home Office and Another: CA 20 May 2008
EAT UNFAIR DISMISSAL: Constructive dismissalWhether fundamental breach of implied term of trust and confidence cured, so that the Claimant’s resignation did not amount to constructive dismissal.Whether the range of reasonable responses test has any place in the question as to whether an employee has been constructively dismissed. Fairbrother and Claridge considered and not followed.General observations … Continue reading Bournemouth University Higher Education Corp v Buckland: EAT 8 May 2009
EAT CONSTRUCTIVE UNFAIR DISMISSAL DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION Direct disability discrimination/Disability related discrimination/ Reasonable adjustments The Claimant claimed constructive unfair dismissal and disability discrimination, taking the form of direct discrimination, disability related discrimination and the failure to make reasonable adjustments. The Respondent contended it did not dismiss her, for she took early retirement and she was treated … Continue reading Miller v The Ridings High School: EAT 24 Sep 2008
EAT PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE: Postponement or stay Employment Tribunal refused to postpone remedy hearing until after appeals by both parties heard at full hearing by the Employment Appeal Tribunal. Material factor not brought to Employment Judge by party opposing postponement application. Applying Wednesbury principles Judge was thereby led into error. Exercising powers of Employment Tribunal … Continue reading Abbey National Plc v Bascetta: EAT 5 Dec 2008
EAT DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION Disability / Disability related discrimination / Reasonable adjustments JURISDICTIONAL POINTS >2002 Act and pre-action requirements The date of disability is a fact found by an Employment Tribunal on the basis of medical and other evidence. When a consultant gave a range of dates for the onset of a condition, the Employment Tribunal … Continue reading Cumbria Probation Board v Collingwood: EAT 28 May 2008
The appellant had employed the three claimants in his medical surgery, but they claimed automatic unfair dismissal when the practice closed on his suspension from practice and the statutory procedures were followed but not to the procedural standard, alleging unreasonable delay in the appeals. Held: The employer’s appeal succeeded. The employees’ appeals failed. There was … Continue reading Selvarajan v Wilmot and others: CA 23 Jul 2008
EAT Disability Discrimination – DisabilityNicholas Kirker was employed by British Sugar plc as a shift chemist until dismissed. He has very poor eyesight and is registered as fully blind. He claimed he had been discriminated against as a disabled person and unfairly dismissed. Both claims succeeded in the employment tribunal and were upheld by the … Continue reading Jones, Kirker, Angel and Bond v 3M Healthcare Ltd, Ambitions Personnel (Nottinghamshire) Ltd, British Sugar Plc, New Possibilities NHS Trust and Hackney: EAT 11 Dec 2001
EAT Practice and Procedure – 2002 Act and Pre-action Requirements Unfair Dismissal – Constructive Dismissal On 14 October 2004 the Claimant claimed constructive unfair dismissal arising out of four acts of the Respondent. No grievance pursuant to the 2004 Regulations had been presented. The Employment Tribunal allowed the case to proceed at a pre-hearing review … Continue reading Cyprus Airways Ltd v Lambrou: EAT 1 May 2007
Reasonable Adjustments The Employment Tribunal erred in law in concluding that the Respondent had neither actual nor constructive knowledge of the Claimant’s disability prior to November 2012. On the Employment Tribunal’s findings: (a) there was actual knowledge of PTSD with effect from 18 July 2012; and (b) constructive knowledge from July 2012. That being so, … Continue reading Lamb v The Garrard Academy: EAT 14 Nov 2018
The chambers appealed a finding of discrimination, saying that a pupil was not a member of the set so as to qualify under the Act. Held: The barristers set or chambers was a trade organisation, but the position of a pupil barrister was not that of a member of that chambers so as to attract … Continue reading 1 Pump Court Chambers v Horton: EAT 2 Dec 2003
The claimant said that his employer had failed to respect his right to express his beliefs by obliging him, though a Christian, to work on Sundays. Held: The appeal failed. ‘The Commission’s position on Article 9, as I understand it, is that, so far as working hours are concerned, an employer is entitled to keep … Continue reading Copsey v WWB Devon Clays Ltd: CA 25 Jul 2005
In giving their decision, the court reminded tribunals when preparing their judgments, to make sure the reasons were user friendly. Here time had been wasted with confusion about the Roman Numerals used to number the reasons. Judges: Mummery LJ, Chadwick LJ, Tuckey LJ Citations: [2005] EWCA Civ 133, Times 05-Apr-2005, [2005] IRLR 376 Links: Bailii … Continue reading Williams v J Walter Thompson Group Ltd: CA 17 Feb 2005
Citations: [2001] UKEAT 1346 – 00 – 0405 Links: Bailii Statutes: Disability Discrimination Act 1996 Jurisdiction: England and Wales Citing: See Also – A McKenzie v East Sussex County Council EAT 13-Dec-1999 EAT Disability Discrimination – DisabilityThe parties sought to settle the appeal by consent. The Tribunal was obliged to consider the merits before making … Continue reading A Mckenzie v East Sussex County Council: EAT 4 May 2001
The court considered the circumstances under which a Hearing Officer’s decision could be reversed on appeal: ‘Those experienced in cases such as these, such as the Hearing Officer, would have known that the sort of evidence normally adduced on issues of distinctiveness included evidence from editors of trade and other magazines, evidence from buyers of … Continue reading E I Du Pont De Nemours and Company v S T Dupont; Du Pont Trade Mark: CA 10 Oct 2003
The claimant Reynolds challenged the differential treatment by age of jobseeker’s allowance. Carson complained that as a foreign resident pensioner, her benefits had not been uprated. The questions in each case were whether the benefit affected a ‘possession’ within the Convention or the discrimination was arbitrary so as to breach the applicants human rights. Held: … Continue reading Carson and Reynolds v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: CA 17 Jun 2003
EAT Unfair Dismissal – OtherThe employer appealed a finding of unfair dismissal and disability discrimination. She suffered an apparently minor injury, but which led to long standing disability with varying diagnoses. The company doctor came to consider it would be a long time before she could return. She was dismissed for capability. Held: There was … Continue reading Gate Gourmet v J B Jangra: EAT 12 Dec 2000
The claimant solicitor had alleged disability discrimination, but several months later applied to amend his claim, to include a claim for unfair dismissal. The respondent appealed permission to do so. Held: The EAT was being asked to interfere with the exercise of a discretion, and faced a high hurdle. The tribunal should look at what … Continue reading Swiss Re Life and Health Ltd v A H Kay: EAT 11 Jul 2002
The claimant challenged refusal of his claim of discrimination. He was profoundly deaf. He applied for work, and indicated his disability, but no provision was made for a signer to appear at the interview. The interview was re-arranged, but he failed. Held: The tribunal gave reasons for finding that the disability had played no part … Continue reading Murphy v Sheffield Hallam University: EAT 11 Jan 2000
Prisoners are a section of the public for the purposes of the 1976 Act. The Court increased an award for injury to feelings awarded for race discrimination by prison officers from pounds 50 to pounds 500. The court considered the appropriate level of damages to be awarded in race discrimination cases: ‘damages for this relatively … Continue reading Alexander v Home Office: CA 1988
General damages cannot be awarded for frustration, mental distress or injured feelings arising from an employer’s breach of the implied term of confidence and trust. Dillon LJ said that damages for mental distress in contract are limited to certain classes of case including ‘where the contract which has been broken was itself a contract to … Continue reading Bliss v South East Thames Regional Health Authority: CA 1985
DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION – Reasonable adjustments UNFAIR DISMISSAL – Constructive dismissal Disability discrimination – reasonable adjustments – sections 20 and 21 Equality Act 2010 Unfair dismissal – constructive dismissal – section 95 Employment Rights Act 1996 The Claimant, who had been employed by the Respondent as a Probation Service Officer (‘PSO’) from April 1999, was a … Continue reading Simpson v Secretary of State for Justice: EAT 29 Mar 2018
The appellant had been provided with emergency accommodation after losing her assured shorthold tenancy, but the court was now asked ‘whether the council adopted the correct approach in determining that the accommodation was ‘affordable’ for those purposes.’ Held: Her appeal was granted. The 1996 Order requires the authority to take into account all sources of … Continue reading Samuels v Birmingham City Council: SC 12 Jun 2019
EAT JURISDICTIONAL POINTS – Claim in time and effective date of termination JURISDICTIONAL POINTS – Extension of time: reasonably practicable PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Costs PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Bias, misconduct and procedural irregularity Reconsideration – claim struck out as out of time – correct early conciliation notification and impact on time limit – whether … Continue reading Treska v The Master and Fellows of University and Another (Jurisdictional Points): EAT 21 Apr 2017
Rehearing/Review – Little Difference on Appeal The appellant asked the Court to reverse a decision on the facts reached in the lower court. Held: The appeal failed (Majority decision). The court’s approach should be the same whether the case was dealt with as a rehearing or as a review. Tanfern was limited to appeals from … Continue reading Assicurazioni Generali Spa v Arab Insurance Group (BSC): CA 13 Nov 2002
The 1987 Regulations provided additional benefits for disabled persons, but excluded from benefit those who had nowhere to sleep. The claimant said this was irrational. He had been receiving the disability premium to his benefits, but this was cancelled when he lost his home. Held: The appeal was dismissed. The disabilty premium, as part of … Continue reading RJM, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: HL 22 Oct 2008
EAT Unfair Dismissal Disability discrimination The Tribunal had found a dismissal to be unfair because of flaws in a grievance procedure, following which the Claimant had resigned. They also found that the Claimant, who suffered an obsessive compulsive disorder, was subjected to taunts that she would not have had inflicted on her if she had … Continue reading Abbey National Plc v Fairbrother: EAT 12 Jan 2007
EAT Disability Discrimination: Section 15 – DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION – Compensation UNFAIR DISMISSAL – Reasonableness of dismissal UNFAIR DISMISSAL – Polkey deduction Unfair Dismissal – Section 98 Employment Rights Act 1996 (‘ERA’) Disability Discrimination – discrimination arising from disability – section 15 Equality Act 2010 (‘EqA’) The Employment Tribunal (‘ET’) having found that the Claimant had … Continue reading Monmouthshire County Council v Harris: EAT 23 Oct 2015
EAT Unfair Dismissal : Reasonableness of Dismissal DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION – Direct disability discrimination 1. The Respondent is a publicly funded independent school with approximately 1,200 pupils aged eight to 18 and is successor to a school administered by the local authority. The academy is what might be regarded as an ‘urban’ school. Its catchment area … Continue reading Bolton St Catherine’s Academy v O’Brien: EAT 18 Sep 2015
EAT Disability Discrimination : Disability – Direct disability discrimination – UNFAIR DISMISSAL – Reason for dismissal including substantial other reason Two points were permitted to proceed to this Full Hearing: (1) The Employment Tribunal sought to draw a distinction between ‘perceived’ and ‘suspected’ disability. That was unhelpful. However, the Employment Tribunal’s answer to the ‘reason … Continue reading Agbakoko v Allied Bakeries: EAT 5 Jun 2015
The claimant sought to challenge the validity of the 2009 Act by judicial review. The Act would make their insured and themselves liable to very substantial unanticipated claims for damages for pleural plaques which would not previousl or otherwise have amounted to personal injury. Pleural plaques are physical changes in the pleura, detectable radiologically as … Continue reading AXA General Insurance Ltd and Others v Lord Advocate and Others: SCS 8 Jan 2010
The applicant had soft tissue injuries around the spine as a consequence of a back injury at work. He was absent from work for a long time as a result of his injuries, and he was eventually dismissed when his medical advisers could provide no clear idea of when it would be possible for him … Continue reading Clark v TDG Limited (Trading As Novacold): CA 25 Mar 1999
Unrelated Detriment was no Discrimination The tenant had left his flat and sublet it so as to allow the landlord authority an apparently unanswerable claim for possession. The authority appealed a finding that they had to take into account the fact that the tenant was disabled and make reasonable adjustments. Held: The authority’s appeal succeeded. … Continue reading London Borough of Lewisham v Malcolm: HL 25 Jun 2008
EAT Unfair Dismissal – Conduct – Section 98(2)(b) Employment Rights Act 1996 In a case where the Claimant had committed (admitted) assaults in the workplace because of his disability (he suffers from a paranoid schizophrenic illness), the ET found that the Respondent had dismissed him because of his having committed acts of gross misconduct and … Continue reading Burdett v Aviva Employment Services Ltd: EAT 14 Nov 2014
EAT Victimisation Discrimination : Protected Disclosure – DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION PROTECTED DISCLOSURE – section 43B Employment Rights Act 1996 Inadequate findings of fact by the ET as to what had actually been said by the Claimant and, if not a protected disclosure, why. Ultimately, however, the ET’s clear findings of fact as to the reason for … Continue reading Johnson v Mitie Asset Management Ltd: EAT 18 Jul 2014
The employee had failed to mention at the hearing of his claim for a redundancy payment a fact which was arguably highly material to the issue of whether his refusal of alternative employment was reasonable; and his claim had been dismissed. He applied for a review. Held: The court was asked whether, and in what … Continue reading Flint v Eastern Electricity Board: EAT 1975
EAT Disability Discrimination : Justification – PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – Bias, misconduct and procedural irregularity C was a consultant psychiatrist. A report by the National Clinical Assessment Service identified clinical and communication deficiencies and recommended that the C and his employing Trust agree a remediation programme to enable him to retrain for his consultant position. … Continue reading Islam v Abertawe Bro Morgannwg Local Health Board: EAT 12 Jun 2014
EAT Jurisdictional Points – Immunity A Police Misconduct Board before whom the Claimant Police Officer admitted misconduct decided that she should be dismissed from the force. She had no right to claim for unfair dismissal under the Employment Rights Act 1996, and a claim to that effect was struck out. But she also claimed that … Continue reading P v Commissioner of Police of The Metropolis: EAT 25 Mar 2014
EAT DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION – DisabilityUNFAIR DISMISSAL – Reasonableness of dismissalA consultant had both private and NHS patients. Whilst certificated sick and receiving sick pay from her NHS employers she worked for her private patients. She was dismissed for doing so, the employer thinking this could be described as fraud. An Employment Tribunal dismissed her claim … Continue reading Brito-Babapulle v Ealing Hospital NHS Trust: EAT 14 Jun 2013
Discrimination – History of interactions relevant When a tribunal considered whether the motive for an act was discriminatory, it should look not just at the act, but should make allowance for earlier acts which might throw more light on the act in question. The Tribunal should assess the totality of the evidence on any material … Continue reading Dr Anya v University of Oxford and Another: CA 22 Mar 2001
The claimant had been dismissed from his post as chair of archeology after criticism of his marking practices. Though a report vindicated him, the respondent continued with disciplinary procedures. He claimed unfair dismissal. The EAT had allowed the university’s appeal saying that the found repudiatory breach had been remedied before the resignation. The University now … Continue reading Buckland v Bournemouth University Higher Education Corporation: CA 24 Feb 2010
The tenant who suffered learning and behavioural difficulties appealed against an order for possession of his council flat. He had become aggressive with the caretaker. The council sought possession, and he defended the claim saying that the council had failed to take account of his disability. Held: The applicable national guidance required the council to … Continue reading Barber v London Borough of Croydon: CA 11 Feb 2010
The claimant had submitted a grievance complaining in general terms of the way in which she had been treated by a manager. She did not, however, refer to a particular incident relied on in her pleading as one of the two ‘last straw’ incidents that led to her resignation. The respondent contended that by reason … Continue reading Shergold v Fieldway Medical Centre: EAT 5 Dec 2005
Questions on pregnancy dismissals included unavailability at required time. The correct comparison under the Act of 1975 was between the pregnant woman and: ‘a hypothetical man who would also be unavailable at the critical time. The relevant circumstance for the purposes of the comparison required by section 5(3) to be made is expected unavailability at … Continue reading Webb v EMO Air Cargo (UK) Ltd (No 1): HL 3 Mar 1993
Same Sex Partner Entitled to tenancy Succession The protected tenant had died. His same-sex partner sought a statutory inheritance of the tenancy. Held: His appeal succeeded. The Fitzpatrick case referred to the position before the 1998 Act: ‘Discriminatory law undermines the rule of law because it is the antithesis of fairness. It brings the law … Continue reading Ghaidan v Godin-Mendoza: HL 21 Jun 2004
Proving Discrimination – Two Stage Process Each appeal raised procedural issues in discrimination cases, asking where, under the new regulations, the burden of proof had shifted. Held: The new situation required a two stage process before a complaint could be upheld. First the claimant had to establish facts allowing the tribunal to conclude, in the … Continue reading Igen Ltd v Wong: CA 18 Feb 2005
The parties had a joint venture agreement which provided that any dispute was to be referred to an arbitrator from the Ismaili community. The claimant said that this method of appointment became void as a discriminatory provision under the 2003 Regulations. The High Court found the appointment to be outwith the provisions, but this was … Continue reading Jivraj v Hashwani: SC 27 Jul 2011
The appellants were teachers in Christian schools who said that the blanket ban on corporal punishment interfered with their religious freedom. They saw moderate physical discipline as an essential part of educating children in a Christian manner. Held: The appeal was dismissed. For Article 9 to be engaged (aside from certain other threshold conditions) the … Continue reading Regina v Secretary of State for Education and Employment and others ex parte Williamson and others: HL 24 Feb 2005
The applicant complained that she was dismissed when her employers learned that she was pregnant. Held: 1(1) (a) and 5(3) of the 1975 Act were to be interpreted as meaning that where a woman had been engaged for an indefinite period, the fact that pregnancy was the reason for her temporary unavailability at a time … Continue reading Webb v EMO Air Cargo (UK) Ltd (No 2): HL 20 Oct 1995
lisboa_realpubsEAT11 EAT SEXUAL ORIENTATION DISCRIMINATION Whether Respondent’s policy of encouraging a wider clientele at a formerly gay pub involved less favourable treatment of gay customers causing the Claimant to resign in circumstances amounting to discriminatory constructive (and wrongful) dismissal, applying principles in Showboat, approved in Wethersfield v Sargent.Employment Tribunal fell into error in focussing on … Continue reading Lisboa v Realpubs Ltd and Others: EAT 11 Jan 2011
The employee complained of his employer’s repeated failure to regrade him, and alleged discrimination. The employer said his claim was out of time. Held: Mummery J made the distinction between single acts of discrimination, and continuing discrimination: ‘the tribunal erred in law in failing to treat the acts complained of on regrading and failure to … Continue reading Owusu v London Fire and Civil Defence Authority: EAT 1 Mar 1995
The claimant sought a declaration that the duty set out in the 1995 Act applies to the discharge of duties, and to the exercise of powers, by local housing authorities under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 being the part entitled ‘Homelessness’. The defendant argued that (1) the section concerned only the general formulation … Continue reading Pieretti v London Borough of Enfield: CA 12 Oct 2010
EAT UNFAIR DISMISSAL Reason for dismissal including substantial other reason Compensation DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION – Disability related discrimination The decision of the Employment Tribunal that the dismissal of the Claimant pastry chef for using non-kosher jam in a product sold in an establishment subject to requirements of Kedassia was an act of victimisation under the Equality … Continue reading Carmelli Bakeries Ltd v Benali (Unfair Dismissal : Reason for Dismissal Including Substantial Other): EAT 31 Jul 2013
Having ‘due regard’ is not Obligation to do The claimant sought to challenge the decision to close her local post office on the basis that being retired and disabled and without a car in a rural area, the office was essential and the decision unsupportable. In particular she challenged the removal of post offices from … Continue reading Brown, Regina (on the Application of) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions: Admn 18 Dec 2008
Allowance of Stigma Damages The employees claimed damages, saying that the way in which their employer had behaved during their employment had led to continuing losses, ‘stigma damages’ after the termination. Held: It is an implied term of any contract of employment that the employer shall not without reasonable and proper cause conduct itself in … Continue reading Malik v Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI); Mahmud v Bank of Credit and Commerce International: HL 12 Jun 1997
The employer was to make 530 members of its staff redundant. Each staff member was assessed and scored. The claimants said that the method of selection was unfair, and sought disclosure of the scores of all employees. Held: It was wrong to order discovery of the forms of employees who had not been selected for … Continue reading British Aerospace plc v Green and Others: CA 18 Apr 1995
The claimant had been found to have been unlawfully dismissed and to have suffered nationality discrimination. Each party appealed against aspects of the compensatory award including the application of the statutory uplift, and the calculation of future losses. The claimant had found alternative lucrative employment which was found to be likely to improve his career … Continue reading Wardle v Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank: CA 11 May 2011
croad_ucuEAT2012 EAT DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT – Discrimination by other bodiesThe Claimant was a university lecturer who suffered from both dyslexia and depression and stress. She sued the union for disability discrimination in that they withdrew representational and legal support. The union argued that the reverse burden of proof provisions did not apply as a matter … Continue reading Croad v University and College Union: EAT 13 Jun 2012
parharEAT2012 EAT UNFAIR DISMISSAL – Reasonableness of dismissalIll health capability dismissal. Section 98(4) Employment Rights Act 1996 reasonableness judged by Employment Tribunal only as at EDT; ET ought to have considered the whole disciplinary process, including subsequent appeals; West Midlands Co-operative Society Limited v Tipton [1986] IRLR 112; Taylor v OCS Group Limited [2006] IRLR … Continue reading First Hampshire and Dorset Ltd v Parhar: EAT 10 May 2012
Bias may not be intentional The applicant claimed that he had been denied appointment to a job with London Regional Transport because he had brought a number of previous race discrimination claims against it or associated companies. An industrial tribunal had upheld his claim of victimisation contrary to section 2(1) of the 1976 Act, finding … Continue reading Swiggs and others v Nagarajan: HL 15 Jul 1999
Result Decides Dscrimination not Motive The Council had allowed free entry to its swimming pools to those of pensionable age (ie women of 60 and men of 65). A 61 year old man successfully complained of sexual discrimination. Held: The 1975 Act directly discriminated between men and women by treating women more favourably on the … Continue reading James v Eastleigh Borough Council: HL 14 Jun 1990
A court should take great care before setting aside a decision of a judge which had involved the exercise of a judicial discretion. The court considered the duty of an appellate court in a children case: ‘What this court should seek to do is to answer the question whether the court discerns a wrongness in … Continue reading G v G (Minors: Custody appeal): CA 1985
EAT DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION – DisabilityJob offer to Claimant withdrawn allegedly as a result of her disclosing a history of depression – On a preliminary issue Tribunal holds that at the material time (June 2008) Claimant not suffering from ‘clinical depression’ amounting to a disability within the meaning of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.Appeal allowed, and … Continue reading J v DLA Piper UK Llp: EAT 15 Jun 2010
To succeed in a claim for constructive dismissal the plaintiff must establish a breach of contract by the defendant, that the breach was sufficiently serious to have justified the claimant resigning, or at least be the last in a series of events which justified his leaving, and that he left his employment with the defendant … Continue reading Western Excavating (ECC) Ltd v Sharp: CA 1978
EAT UNFAIR DISMISSAL – S. 98A (2) Employment Rights Act DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION – Disability related discrimination DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION – Reasonable adjustments DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION – Compensation Claimant goes off sick following incident of alleged offensive behaviour by manager – Existing mental health difficulties exacerbated – Employers fail, despite recommendation from occupational health department, to carry out … Continue reading Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust v Mylott: EAT 11 Mar 2011
The Industrial Tribunal has no jurisdiction to consider and rule upon other acts of racial discrimination not included in the complaints in the Originating Application. Racial discrimination may be established as a matter of direct primary fact. ‘More often racial discrimination will have to be established, if at all, as a matter of inference. It … Continue reading Chapman and Another v Simon: CA 1994
rider_leedsEAT2012 EAT DISABILITY DISCRIMINATIONThe Claimant worked for the Respondent as a Nursery Officer at Armley Moor Children Centre. She raised grievances against colleagues and she was seconded to another post away from Armley Hall at Red Hall. She also suffered from disability and was unable by reason of her disability to return to her post … Continue reading Rider v Leeds City Council: EAT 27 Nov 2012
The claimant asserted unfair dismissal after his contract was changed to provide that his post as head of the history department would be part time. He had been ill, and the head teacher reduced his teaching periods. He accepted the change in writing under protest in order to mitigate his loss. He said that the … Continue reading Hogg v Dover College: EAT 1990
