Claimant v Royal Mail Group Limited
Outcome
Individual claims
The tribunal determined at a hearing on 19-20 February 2025 that the respondent unfairly dismissed the claimant, in breach of the Employment Rights Act 1996. The tribunal awarded a basic award and compensatory award for loss of statutory rights.
The tribunal found that the respondent discriminated against the claimant by treating him unfavourably for something arising in consequence of his disability, under the Equality Act 2010. The tribunal awarded substantial compensation including injury to feelings and aggravated damages.
Facts
Mr Waheed was dismissed by Royal Mail Group Ltd. The tribunal found at a liability hearing in February 2025 that the dismissal was unfair under the Employment Rights Act 1996 and constituted unlawful disability discrimination under the Equality Act 2010, specifically unfavourable treatment arising from disability. The respondent failed to comply with the ACAS disciplinary and grievance procedures. This remedy hearing addressed compensation.
Decision
The tribunal awarded Mr Waheed total compensation of £77,570.21, comprising unfair dismissal awards (basic award £2,250 and compensatory award £350), discrimination compensation (£59,505.50 including past and future loss of earnings, injury to feelings of £20,000 including £2,000 aggravated damages, and interest), a 10% ACAS uplift (£5,950.55), and grossing up for tax (£9,514.16). The injury to feelings award fell in the upper Vento band.
Practical note
Disability discrimination arising from dismissal can attract substantial awards including upper-band injury to feelings, aggravated damages, ACAS uplift, and grossing up, resulting in total compensation significantly exceeding the unfair dismissal statutory cap.
Award breakdown
Vento band: upper
Adjustments
Respondent failed to comply with the ACAS Code of Practice: Disciplinary and grievance procedures (2015). Uplift applied to discrimination compensation only, not to unfair dismissal basic or compensatory awards.
Legal authorities cited
Statutes
Case details
- Case number
- 1805373/2023
- Decision date
- 22 August 2025
- Hearing type
- remedy
- Hearing days
- 3
- Classification
- contested
Respondent
- Sector
- logistics
- Represented
- Yes
- Rep type
- solicitor
Claimant representation
- Represented
- No