Disability Discrimination Act Update.

In a landmark discrimination case, the House of Lords awarded £125,000 compensation to a woman who had worked for her employer for over 32 years.
The employee developed vocal nodules that threatened her speech, she protested when her employer took away partitions near her desk causing her to speak more loudly. The company argued that the employee was not disabled as her condition no longer had an adverse effect on her life.
Proceedings under the Disability Discrimination Act began in October 2001 alleging discrimination on grounds of her employer’s failure to make reasonable adjustments.
In May 2002 following 33 years of service, the employee was made redundant as a result of the decision and consequently brought further proceedings against her employer alleging victimisation and unfair dismissal.
She took her case as far as the Court of Appeal in Belfast prior to ending up in the highest court in the country The House of Lords.
The House of Lords upheld the decision and has now ruled that people with physical or mental conditions that vary in severity over time should be termed as “disabled” meaning that those individuals with controlled, recurring conditions are now covered by the Disability Discrimination Act.
The ruling extends the protection to people with a range of health conditions and could stretch to diabetes or multiple sclerosis.

Effected by this ruling or need to discuss existing arrangements in your business please speak directly with an HR Specialist 01473 858288 or email support@newtonhr.com