Council Worker Ordered to Pay £20,000 After Taking Second Job While on Sick Leave

A council worker in London has been ordered to pay £20,000 to her employer after taking a second job with British Gas while on sick leave. Elisha Neavin, 37, was employed by the London Borough of Southwark council for 15 years. She claimed she was unfit for work due to mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and complex PTSD, as well as dyslexia.

Neavin's contract stipulated that any outside employment must not conflict with her council duties or undermine public confidence, and that she must notify her manager of any other employment. In September 2023, an occupational health report stated that Neavin was unfit for work and that continuing to work could worsen her symptoms. Despite this, she began an apprenticeship with British Gas around December 11, 2023.

During her claimed period of sick leave, Neavin cited therapy and observing Ramadan as reasons for being unable to attend meetings or return to work. She was later spotted in a promotional video for British Gas. After an investigation, she was dismissed for gross misconduct in March 2025.

Neavin took the London Borough of Southwark council to an employment tribunal, alleging discrimination due to her disabilities, including unfair dismissal. However, her claims were dismissed at a final hearing at the London South Employment Tribunal. Employment Judge Francesca Yardley ruled that the council's decision to place Neavin on medical suspension was a proportionate means of achieving legitimate aims, such as safeguarding her health and enabling a safe return to work. The tribunal found that Neavin repeatedly declined to engage with management requests during her suspension, creating barriers to reviewing her fitness for work.

Consequently, the tribunal ordered Neavin to pay a contribution of £20,000 towards the council's costs for defending the litigation, noting this was approximately half of the council's total costs.