Science Assistant Wins Disability Case Over Workplace Anxiety

A science assistant has won a disability discrimination case against Countesthorpe Academy in Leicestershire after claiming that being asked to cover work in the school's main building exacerbated her anxiety. Christina Wells, who began teaching at the school in 2004 and later served as a departmental administrative assistant in the science department, stated that her mental health was negatively impacted by being asked to work in unfamiliar and busy areas of the school.

The case centered on events following a school restructure in 2021, which led to administrative staff in the main office being relocated. This required departmental administrative assistants, including Wells, to cover some duties in the main office, which is located in the academy's entrance. Wells contended that accessing this area meant coming into contact with others, which she found difficult due to her anxiety, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Following a period of absence and referral to occupational health, a report indicated Wells was temporarily unfit for work and recommended a well-ventilated office with limited access. Despite being provided with a separate office, further health reports confirmed the debilitating impact of her anxiety as a barrier to working within the main school building. However, the school stated they could not permanently provide an alternative room or different job.

Wells proposed a four-hour working week, but this was not initially accepted. She informed the headteacher that being required to attend meetings in unfamiliar places was causing her stress and anxiety. In December 2022, Wells received a letter informing her that formal procedures were being initiated due to her attendance, which she described as shocking and upsetting.

Wells subsequently lodged a grievance against the school, asserting a loss of trust. While a grievance process noted a previous headteacher's comment about her working in a busy environment potentially causing havoc with her anxiety, the tribunal ultimately found the school had made reasonable adjustments. However, the tribunal ruled that the letter sent in December 2022, informing Wells of formal procedures, constituted disability discrimination.

All of Wells's claims were dismissed except for this specific aspect of disability discrimination related to the letter. Employment Judge Elizabeth Heap stated that while Wells may have been concerned about potential discipline for not working in the main office, there was no suggestion she was going to be disciplined. The judge also noted that Wells had never actually been required to work in the main office, and that the school had made reasonable adjustments, including the provision of a separate office. The tribunal did not find that a comment made by a previous headteacher had the purpose or effect of violating Wells's dignity or creating a hostile environment.

As a result of winning her case, Wells is now in line for compensation.