Claimant v Lloyds Bank Plc
Outcome
Individual claims
The tribunal found that the claimant was not a disabled person within the meaning of section 6 Equality Act 2010. The claimant's high blood pressure and anaemia did not have a substantial adverse effect on her normal day-to-day activities. Working in hot conditions and sitting in a particular chair were not considered 'normal day-to-day activities', and even if they were, the effects were not long-term as they did not last or were not likely to last 12 months. Without establishing disability status, the claim could not succeed.
Facts
The claimant worked for Lloyds Bank in a customer support role from April 2024 to January 2025 when she was dismissed for gross misconduct. She claimed she suffered from high blood pressure, anaemia and a heart murmur. She complained that from May 2024 she worked in a hot call centre due to broken air-conditioning which exacerbated her symptoms, and that from October 2024 when working from home she was not provided with an office chair or desk, causing back pain which she said increased her blood pressure. She initially brought a claim for 'health and safety resulting in an injury' but after guidance from the tribunal clarified she was bringing a disability discrimination claim for failure to make reasonable adjustments.
Decision
The tribunal found that the claimant was not a disabled person within the meaning of the Equality Act 2010. While she had impairments of high blood pressure and anaemia, these did not have a substantial adverse effect on her normal day-to-day activities. The tribunal concluded that working in hot conditions and sitting in a particular chair were not 'normal day-to-day activities', and even if they were, the effects were not long-term as they lasted only a few months and were caused by specific, temporary environmental factors. The claim was therefore dismissed.
Practical note
Environmental working conditions that temporarily exacerbate medical conditions are unlikely to establish disability status where the conditions themselves do not substantially affect normal day-to-day activities, and the environmental issues are time-limited rather than ongoing.
Legal authorities cited
Statutes
Case details
- Case number
- 6005221/2025
- Decision date
- 21 October 2025
- Hearing type
- preliminary
- Hearing days
- 1
- Classification
- contested
Respondent
- Name
- Lloyds Bank Plc
- Sector
- financial services
- Represented
- Yes
- Rep type
- barrister
Employment details
- Role
- Customer Support
- Service
- 9 months
Claimant representation
- Represented
- No