Science Assistant Wins Disability Case Over School Anxiety Trigger

A science assistant has won a disability discrimination case after claiming that being asked to work in her school's main building significantly worsened her anxiety. Christina Wells, formerly an administrative assistant at Countesthorpe Academy in Leicestershire, stated that the requirement to cover duties in a busy central location, particularly after a school restructuring, had a "debilitating" effect on her mental health.

Wells, who began working at the school in 2004, also reported that attending meetings in "unfamiliar places" within the school exacerbated her anxiety. She was eventually provided with a separate office near her department as an accommodation.

Despite health reports and recommendations for adjustments, Wells was informed that formal procedures were being initiated against her due to her attendance issues, a development she described as "extremely upsetting."

Tribunal Ruling

The case was brought before an employment tribunal in Nottingham. The tribunal heard that after Countesthorpe Academy joined the LIFE Multi Academy Trust in March 2020 and underwent a restructure in 2021, administrative staff from the main office were relocated. This change meant that departmental administrative assistants, including Wells, were expected to assist with tasks in the main office, which is located at the school's entrance.

Wells asserted that she could not access the main office due to her anxiety, especially concerning potential contact with others, a concern heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Following the pandemic's onset, Wells was placed on unpaid leave and referred to occupational health. A report indicated she was temporarily unfit for work and recommended a "well-ventilated office with limited access by people" upon her return.

Prior to the pandemic, Wells worked in the science department's main office. Upon her return, she was given a separate office. A subsequent health report in 2021 identified the "debilitating impact of her anxiety" as a barrier to working within the main school building, though she remained capable of working from home.

In October 2022, following a meeting with the headteacher, Catherine Aitcheson, another health report was commissioned to assess Wells' prolonged sickness. Aitcheson later informed Wells that the school could not offer a different room on a permanent basis and had no alternative positions available. Wells proposed a four-hour working week, which was not initially accepted. She informed Aitcheson that the requirement to attend meetings in "unfamiliar places" caused her stress and anxiety.

In December 2022, Wells received a letter stating that formal processes were commencing regarding her attendance. The tribunal found that this letter constituted disability discrimination.

Case Details

Wells' claims included indirect disability discrimination, failure to make reasonable adjustments, disability harassment, and victimisation. All claims were dismissed except for the aspect of disability discrimination related to the December 2022 letter.

Employment Judge Elizabeth Heap stated that the tribunal was not satisfied that Wells was placed at a substantial disadvantage concerning the requirement to work in the main office, as there was no suggestion she would be disciplined for not complying, although her concern was acknowledged.

The tribunal also found that the LIFE Multi Academy Trust, represented by former headteacher Gareth Williams, had made reasonable adjustments, as Wells had never been required to work in the main office. Regarding a comment made by Williams, where he questioned how Wells worked in a busy school environment given her anxiety, the tribunal determined it did not have the purpose or effect of violating her dignity or creating a hostile environment.

Wells is now eligible for compensation following her successful disability discrimination claim concerning the communication about formal procedures.