Claimant v Coyle Personnel Limited
Outcome
Individual claims
The tribunal found that the claimant was not an employee, worker or contract worker of either respondent within the meaning of s.230 ERA 1996, s.83 EqA 2010 or s.41 EqA 2010. Without the requisite employment status, the tribunal had no jurisdiction to hear the maternity/pregnancy discrimination claim.
Facts
Miss Lane brought claims against two respondents, Coyle Personnel Limited and Workwell Solutions Limited, including a claim for maternity discrimination. The tribunal held a preliminary hearing over two days to determine whether the claimant had the requisite employment status to bring claims under employment law.
Decision
The tribunal found that the claimant was not an employee, worker, or contract worker of either respondent within the meaning of relevant statutory provisions. The entire claim, including the maternity discrimination claim, was dismissed for lack of jurisdiction.
Practical note
Employment status is a jurisdictional prerequisite for discrimination claims under the Equality Act 2010, and claimants must establish they fall within the relevant statutory definitions before the tribunal can consider the merits of their claims.
Legal authorities cited
Statutes
Case details
- Case number
- 6021297/2024
- Decision date
- 20 October 2025
- Hearing type
- preliminary
- Hearing days
- 2
- Classification
- contested
Respondent
- Sector
- professional services
- Represented
- Yes
- Rep type
- lay rep
Claimant representation
- Represented
- No