Cases2306277/2023

Claimant v Nationwide Building Society

3 January 2025Before Employment Judge C TaylorLondon Southremote video

Outcome

Claimant fails

Individual claims

Unfair Dismissalwithdrawn

Withdrawn by the claimant at the hearing. In any event the tribunal found the claim was presented out of time with no reasonable prospect of establishing time should be extended.

Automatic Unfair Dismissalstruck out

Struck out. Claim presented out of time with no prospect of establishing extension of time should be granted. Claimant also not an employee of respondent, employed by TCS, a third-party contractor provider.

Whistleblowingstruck out

Struck out. Claim presented out of time (should have contacted ACAS by 15 August 2023, did not until 12 October). Claimant could not show it was not reasonably practicable to present in time. Also failed to establish he was a worker under s47B ERA 1996.

Direct Discrimination(race)struck out

Struck out for being out of time. All alleged acts occurred more than three months before claim presented. Claimant provided no basis for extending time under just and equitable test. Claim also lacked particularisation of allegations.

Discrimination Arising from Disability (s.15)(disability)struck out

Struck out for being out of time. Claimant argued he became disabled due to respondent's treatment (stress, speech problems, high blood pressure), but claim presented late with no medical evidence showing inability to present on time. Claim also provided no detail of disability discrimination allegations.

Otherstruck out

Claim for 'other payments' struck out for being out of time and lacking any particularisation of what payments were claimed.

Facts

The claimant, a business analyst employed by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in India, worked on deputation with Nationwide Building Society from March to May 2023. He alleges he made protected disclosures about data inconsistencies and security issues, following which he was excluded from meetings and his engagement was terminated on 16 May 2023. He became unwell with various medical conditions including suspected stroke, speech problems, and high blood pressure. He did not contact ACAS until 12 October 2023 and filed his claim on 15 November 2023, nearly three months late. He also made a late application for interim relief.

Decision

The tribunal struck out all claims as having no reasonable prospect of success because they were presented out of time and the claimant could not show time should be extended. Medical evidence provided did not demonstrate inability to present the claim on time. The tribunal also found the claimant was not an employee of Nationwide (being employed by TCS), and had not established worker status. The tribunal declined to award costs for the abortive interim relief hearing despite finding the claimant acted unreasonably, noting he was a litigant in person.

Practical note

Even where a claimant is unwell, medical evidence must specifically demonstrate an inability to present a claim on time to succeed in extending time limits; general sick notes listing conditions are insufficient without explanation of functional impact on ability to make a claim.

Legal authorities cited

Balls v Downham Market High School [2011] IRLR 217

Statutes

Equality Act 2010ERA 1996 s.43KERA 1996 s.47B

Case details

Case number
2306277/2023
Decision date
3 January 2025
Hearing type
strike out
Hearing days
1
Classification
procedural

Respondent

Sector
financial services
Represented
Yes
Rep type
barrister

Employment details

Role
Business Analyst
Service
2 months

Claimant representation

Represented
No