Cases3313271/2023

Claimant v Royal Mail Group Limited

2 December 2025Before Employment Judge S GeorgeReadinghybrid

Outcome

Claimant fails

Individual claims

Automatic Unfair Dismissalfailed

The tribunal found that the reason or principal reason for dismissal was not trade union activity. The claimant failed to establish that his trade union activities were the reason or principal reason for his dismissal.

Unfair Dismissalfailed

The tribunal found the dismissal was fair. The respondent had a potentially fair reason for dismissal and followed a fair procedure. The decision to dismiss fell within the band of reasonable responses available to a reasonable employer.

Direct Discrimination(disability)failed

The tribunal found that the claimant was not treated less favourably because of something arising in consequence of his disability. The respondent's actions were not related to any disability-related reason and were justified.

Facts

Mr S Gill was employed by Royal Mail Group Ltd and was dismissed. He brought claims alleging that his dismissal was automatically unfair due to trade union activities, that it was unfair dismissal, and that he was discriminated against for a reason arising from disability. The hearing took place over four days in November 2025 at Reading Employment Tribunal, with hybrid attendance arrangements.

Decision

The tribunal dismissed all three claims. They found that trade union activity was not the reason or principal reason for dismissal, that the dismissal was fair procedurally and substantively, and that there was no discrimination arising from disability. The claimant, who represented himself, was unsuccessful on all grounds.

Practical note

Claimants alleging automatic unfair dismissal for trade union activities must establish that trade union activity was the principal reason for dismissal, not merely a contributing factor.

Case details

Case number
3313271/2023
Decision date
2 December 2025
Hearing type
full merits
Hearing days
4
Classification
contested

Respondent

Sector
logistics
Represented
Yes
Rep type
solicitor

Claimant representation

Represented
No