A former university lecturer represented by Heather Platt has been awarded £168,000 at remedy hearing before the Central London Employment Tribunal.  Heather was instructed by Mohamed Bangura of Neal Turke Rochfort solicitors. They have worked together on numerous cases over 20 years.

The award was made to Elizabeth Aylott, a former lecturer at BPP law school, following a hearing last year.

Ms Aylott, who was forced to resign in 2019 after 10 years with the University, was diagnosed as an adult with ASD (autistic spectrum disorder) and she also was disabled because of her mental health conditions of anxiety and depression.  She was surprised to be presented by BPP’s HR representative with a settlement agreement at a return to work meeting.

At the liability hearing, Judge Adkin and his panel members had ruled that Ms Aylott was constructively unfairly dismissed and treated unfavourably because of her disability. The tribunal found that a series of matters, viewed cumulatively, amounted to a fundamental breach of trust and confidence.

The Employment Tribunal criticised BPP for its ‘surprising’ failure to assist a worker in desperate need of help. The Tribunal awarded:

• Loss of statutory rights assessed at £500.
• Basic award of £3,937.50 
• Notice pay of £13,930.95 
• An award for injury to feeling in the sum of £20,000 
• An award for personal injury in the sum of £17,340
• Medical expenses caused by personal injury assessed at £1,505  
• Loss of statutory rights assessed as £500 
• Compensation for past financial losses £32,247.07 
• Compensation for future financial losses £71,200.15 
• Interest of£7,386.73

The total of the above is £168,047.40, however the figure will be ‘grossed up’ by a further £14,000 to reflect taxation. To view the liability judgment in full please click here.  To view the remedy judgment in full please click here.

Heather has developed significant experience in working with neuro diverse litigants and has acted for and against claimants with complex disabilities and understands how difficult litigation can be both for employers and employees when dealing with such conditions.

For further information of Heather’s practice or to instruct her please contact her clerks Jonathan Cue or Dean Cunniff on 020 7353 0711 or via email: clerks@pumpcourtchambers.com.