Man with learning difficulties wins pay out after unfair dismissal

A cleaner with learning difficulties who was sacked from his job
at a football stadium last September has been awarded £17,000
by an employment tribunal for unfair dismissal.

Anthony Brazil was fired less than one week after Prestige
Commercial Cleaning Services took over the cleaning contract at
Fulham football ground in London from United Response. Twelve other
people with disabilities who had been employed by United Response
also lost their jobs.

The Disability Rights Commission took Brazil’s case to the
London central employment tribunal. It argued Prestige had not
given staff the opportunity to show they could meet the new
flexible working arrangements it introduced after taking over the
contract.

The tribunal ruled Prestige was guilty of discrimination, and
ordered the company to pay Brazil £17,000 compensation for
unfair dismissal, loss of earnings and injury to his feelings.

DRC chairperson Bert Massie said: “Disabled people are entitled
to be treated with the same respect to other employees. This case
shows that injustice will not be tolerated and employers must
understand that.”