Claimant v Secretary of State for Justice

Outcome

Facts

The claimant, a medical team member working in a prison, took a key to a medicine cabinet home in November 2023. She resigned in March 2024 and brought claims of constructive dismissal and race discrimination. The tribunal struck out her claims at a preliminary hearing on 13 March 2025. She applied for reconsideration, arguing she was ill and that the respondents had no authority over the key. She also argued that taking keys home was not punishable and that the treatment was racially motivated.

Decision

The reconsideration application was refused. The tribunal found the claimant's arguments had no merit. The delay between the alleged conduct and resignation undermined the constructive dismissal claim, and the underlying factual allegations had already been struck out. The race discrimination claims were based on a misunderstanding that disciplinary action for taking keys home was inappropriate, with no evidence beyond bare assertions of racism.

Practical note

Legal authorities cited