Claimant v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Outcome
Individual claims
The tribunal heard evidence over seven days and concluded that the claimant's unfair dismissal claim was not well-founded. The tribunal found that the respondent had conducted a fair process and had reasonable grounds for dismissal. The claim failed on both substantive and procedural grounds.
The tribunal considered the claimant's disability discrimination claims and found them not to be well-founded after hearing evidence over seven days. The tribunal was not satisfied that the respondent had discriminated against the claimant on grounds of disability. All aspects of the discrimination claim were dismissed.
Facts
D Wainwright was employed by the Department for Work and Pensions and was dismissed. The claimant brought claims of unfair dismissal and disability discrimination. The case was heard over seven days in April and May 2025 before Employment Judge Batten sitting alone. Oral reasons were given at the hearing.
Decision
The tribunal dismissed both the unfair dismissal and disability discrimination claims. After hearing evidence over seven days, the tribunal found that neither claim was well-founded. The respondent successfully defended both claims.
Practical note
A self-represented claimant bringing unfair dismissal and disability discrimination claims against a major government department faced significant challenges and was ultimately unsuccessful on all claims after a seven-day hearing.
Case details
- Case number
- 2403638/2022
- Decision date
- 6 May 2025
- Hearing type
- full merits
- Hearing days
- 7
- Classification
- contested
Respondent
- Sector
- central government
- Represented
- Yes
- Rep type
- barrister
Claimant representation
- Represented
- No