Cases2303718/2023

Claimant v Arora SLG Limited

6 March 2025Before Employment Judge E FowellCroydonremote video

Outcome

Partly successful

Individual claims

Victimisation(race)succeeded

The claimant made a verbal allegation of race discrimination to a manager and was dismissed at a probationary review meeting shortly afterwards. The tribunal found this amounted to victimisation as the dismissal was causally linked to the protected act of raising a race discrimination complaint.

Harassment(race)failed

The tribunal found the harassment claim to be unfounded, though specific reasons are not detailed in this liability judgment.

Direct Discrimination(race)failed

The tribunal dismissed the direct race discrimination claim as unfounded, finding no evidence to support that the treatment was because of race.

Unfair Dismissalwithdrawn

Withdrawn by claimant at an earlier preliminary hearing.

Facts

The claimant, Miss Nwohia, was employed by Arora SLG Limited. During her probationary period, she made a verbal allegation of race discrimination to a manager. Shortly afterwards, she was dismissed at a probationary review meeting. She brought claims of victimisation, harassment, direct race discrimination, and unfair dismissal.

Decision

The tribunal upheld the victimisation claim, finding that the dismissal was causally linked to the claimant raising a race discrimination complaint. The claims of harassment and direct race discrimination were dismissed as unfounded. The unfair dismissal claim had been withdrawn at an earlier preliminary hearing.

Practical note

Dismissing an employee shortly after they raise a race discrimination complaint, even during probation, can amount to unlawful victimisation even if the underlying discrimination claim itself is not established.

Legal authorities cited

Statutes

Equality Act 2010

Case details

Case number
2303718/2023
Decision date
6 March 2025
Hearing type
full merits
Hearing days
4
Classification
contested

Respondent

Sector
hospitality
Represented
Yes
Rep type
solicitor

Claimant representation

Represented
No