Claimant v AJ Bell PLC
Outcome
Individual claims
The tribunal found that the claimant was not a disabled person within the meaning of s.6 Equality Act 2010 during the period 2015-June 2024. He failed to demonstrate a substantial adverse effect on his ability to carry out day-to-day activities, either in or out of work.
As the claimant was not found to be a disabled person, the claim under s.15 for discrimination arising from disability (relating to his work history from 2015-2024) could not succeed.
The claim for failure to make reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process failed because the tribunal found the claimant was not disabled at the material time.
The tribunal found that the harassment claim related to disability could not survive the finding that the claimant was not disabled, and there was no sufficient evidence that the respondent perceived him to be disabled within the meaning of s.6 despite his request for reasonable adjustments.
Withdrawn by claimant prior to the preliminary hearing.
Withdrawn by claimant prior to the preliminary hearing.
Facts
The claimant applied for two roles with the respondent in April and June 2024 but was unsuccessful. He was never employed by the respondent. He claimed disability discrimination relating to anxiety and low mood diagnosed in 2015, alleging the respondent ignored his requests for reasonable adjustments during recruitment. The claimant had an extensive employment history since 2015 with numerous short-term roles ending in dismissal or resignation, which he attributed to his mental health conditions.
Decision
The tribunal found that the claimant was not a disabled person within s.6 Equality Act 2010 during 2015-June 2024. He failed to demonstrate substantial adverse effects on day-to-day activities either in or outside work. The tribunal followed a similar finding by EJ Aspinall in an earlier case involving the same claimant and dismissed all claims.
Practical note
A poor employment history and difficulty maintaining roles is not sufficient in itself to establish disability status; claimants must identify specific day-to-day activities substantially affected by their impairment rather than relying on composite outcomes like 'holding down a job'.
Legal authorities cited
Statutes
Case details
- Case number
- 6009433/2024
- Decision date
- 4 November 2025
- Hearing type
- preliminary
- Hearing days
- 1
- Classification
- contested
Respondent
- Name
- AJ Bell PLC
- Sector
- financial services
- Represented
- Yes
- Rep type
- barrister
Employment details
- Role
- Financial Services Administrator / Customer Service Administrator (applicant)
Claimant representation
- Represented
- No