Hotel manager with no right to work in UK wins discrimination case - People Management
Malaysian employee’s claims for disability, sex and race discrimination succeed after judge rules allegations were not ‘inextricably linked’ to illegal working
22 May 2026
A hotel manager has won her tribunal claims for discrimination, despite having no legal right to work in the UK.
Erin Ong, who worked at the Fisherbeck Hotel in Cumbria, won claims for disability, sex and race discrimination, after the Manchester tribunal ruled her allegations were not “inextricably linked” to the illegal work arrangements.
The tribunal found her working conditions aggravated her asthma, which amounted to disability discrimination, and she was the only staff member required to show her passport so that she could be paid, which was ruled race discrimination. She was eventually dismissed as she failed her probation.
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Claims that relied on a contract of employment, including automatic unfair dismissal, arrears of unpaid wages and holiday pay, were dismissed as the contract of employment was determined to be “tainted with illegality”.
Kasia Kingsmill, partner and head of immigration at Brecher, said the case was significant as the tribunal made a clear distinction between the individual’s immigration status and their...
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