Claimant v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Outcome
Individual claims
The claimant withdrew the direct religious belief discrimination claim during the hearing.
The tribunal found the claim of indirect religious belief discrimination to be without merit and dismissed it. The tribunal determined that the respondent had not applied a provision, criterion or practice that put the claimant at a particular disadvantage because of his religious belief.
The tribunal found the claim of failure to make reasonable adjustments to be without merit and dismissed it. The tribunal was not satisfied that the claimant was disabled within the meaning of the Equality Act 2010, or alternatively that the respondent failed to make reasonable adjustments.
Facts
Mr Jennings brought claims against the Department for Work and Pensions alleging direct and indirect religious belief discrimination and failure to make reasonable adjustments. He appeared in person at a three-day full merits hearing held remotely. During the hearing, he withdrew his claim of direct discrimination based on religious belief.
Decision
The tribunal dismissed the withdrawn direct discrimination claim and found both the indirect religious discrimination claim and the failure to make reasonable adjustments claim to be without merit. The tribunal was not satisfied that the respondent had applied provisions that disadvantaged the claimant because of his religious beliefs or that reasonable adjustments should have been made.
Practical note
Claimants must establish that they meet the statutory definition of disability and that a PCP places them at a particular disadvantage linked to their protected characteristic; claims found to be without merit indicate the tribunal considered the allegations lacked substantive foundation.
Legal authorities cited
Statutes
Case details
- Case number
- 6007586/2024
- Decision date
- 26 November 2025
- Hearing type
- full merits
- Hearing days
- 3
- Classification
- contested
Respondent
- Sector
- central government
- Represented
- Yes
- Rep type
- barrister
Claimant representation
- Represented
- No