Claimant v MDS Hygiene Support Limited
Outcome
Individual claims
The tribunal found the claimant was not disabled for the purposes of s.6 Equality Act 2010. The effects of his heart attack did not last for 12 months (severe symptoms subsided by October 2023) and he failed to establish a substantial adverse effect on day-to-day activities with supporting evidence or causal links. Without establishing disability status, the claim of direct discrimination based on dismissal could not succeed.
Facts
The claimant suffered a cardiac arrest/heart attack on 21 July 2023 and was dismissed by the respondent. He brought a claim of direct disability discrimination. Medical evidence showed he made a 'very good recovery' and his severe symptoms subsided by October 2023. He returned to work for other employers in January 2024. The claimant failed to comply with tribunal orders to provide proper impact statements and medical evidence until the morning of the hearing.
Decision
The tribunal found the claimant was not disabled for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010. The effects of his heart attack did not last 12 months (subsiding by October 2023) and he failed to establish a substantial adverse effect on day-to-day activities with proper evidence or causal links. Without disability status, his direct discrimination claim could not succeed and was dismissed.
Practical note
Claimants must provide clear, evidenced impact statements showing both the long-term nature (at least 12 months) and substantial adverse effects of an impairment on day-to-day activities, with causal links between the impairment and the difficulties experienced.
Legal authorities cited
Statutes
Case details
- Case number
- 2302118/2024
- Decision date
- 15 September 2025
- Hearing type
- preliminary
- Hearing days
- 1
- Classification
- contested
Respondent
- Sector
- other
- Represented
- No
- Rep type
- in house
Claimant representation
- Represented
- No