Judge says compliance officer’s dismissal was ‘tainted with discrimination’ as experts advise firms to be ‘mindful’ of the impact of disabilities on staff
An employee who was being treated for cancer was unfairly dismissed and discriminated against, a tribunal has ruled.
The London Central Employment Tribunal (ET) found that Adeline Willis, who had worked at NatWest Bank for more than six years, was treated unfavourably “because of something arising from disability”.
The tribunal also rejected the bank’s claims that Willis’ job was redundant, ruling that her dismissal had been “tainted with discrimination”. Willis is seeking compensation of more than 2m for long term losses.
Willis, a risk and compliance officer, started working for NatWest in 2013. In the period leading up to her dismissal she was on secondment as head of operational continuity in the resolution department because her previous role within the organisation had been made redundant.
In August 2019, she was diagnosed with colon cancer and informed her line manager Ms Pragnell. After her diagnosis, Willis did not take any significant periods of time off work but went to the office about twice a week and would work from home when she had to attend hospital.
On 3 September, Pragnell told Willis she wanted her to report to Ms Lambourne instead of reporting directly to her, explaining that Lambourne would have more time to support Willis during treatment. Willis thought this would be a temporary measure.
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