Ability Forum

[kodakkal]

A disabled social worker has been awarded compensation of more than £90,000 after an Employment Tribunal ruled that she was discriminated against by her former employer.

Ruth Hickling, from Brucklay, claimed she had been unfairly dismissed by former employer Aberdeen County Council, after suffering prolonged back problems.

Hickling, who at the time of her termination was earning £36,000-a-year, had worked for the council since 1990 and had experienced repeated health problems, the Tribunal heard.

In 2003, she suffered a back injury, and took seven weeks from work. In 2005, she was signed off with sciatica – a severe nerve pain occurring in the back of her leg.

Twelve months later, Hickling attempted a return to work, but managed just 29 hours over three days before going back on sick leave. By this time, her half pay entitlement had come to an end.

Medical professions had suggested that special chairs, costing £145 and £500, could have helped Hickling while at work, but the county council had not provided these.

She claimed that the company’s failure to make suitable workplace adjustments had forced her to resign, after an absence period of 458 days.

Hickling further claimed that the council’s treatment of her had affected her mental health, and described herself in her resignation letter as “poverty-stricken”.

The council, who argued that Hickling was not disabled, was ordered to pay a sum of over £90,000, which included costs to cover loss of earnings, future loss of earnings, and £7,500 for damages for injury to feelings.

_________________
KODAKKAL SHIVAPRASAD,FUWAI,
Award Winner & Record Holder-International Biographical NOte.
PRO- www.disabilityindia.org/legalaid.cfm#1
Web:http://www.kodakkal.ning.com
http://www.giveindia.org/m-890-society-for-child-development.aspx

A disabled social worker has been awarded compensation of more than £90,000 after an Employment Tribunal ruled that she was discriminated against by her former employer.

Ruth Hickling, from Brucklay, claimed she had been unfairly dismissed by former employer Aberdeen County Council, after suffering prolonged back problems.

Hickling, who at the time of her termination was earning £36,000-a-year, had worked for the council since 1990 and had experienced repeated health problems, the Tribunal heard.

In 2003, she suffered a back injury, and took seven weeks from work. In 2005, she was signed off with sciatica – a severe nerve pain occurring in the back of her leg.

Twelve months later, Hickling attempted a return to work, but managed just 29 hours over three days before going back on sick leave. By this time, her half pay entitlement had come to an end.

Medical professions had suggested that special chairs, costing £145 and £500, could have helped Hickling while at work, but the county council had not provided these.

She claimed that the company’s failure to make suitable workplace adjustments had forced her to resign, after an absence period of 458 days.

Hickling further claimed that the council’s treatment of her had affected her mental health, and described herself in her resignation letter as “poverty-stricken”.

The council, who argued that Hickling was not disabled, was ordered to pay a sum of over £90,000, which included costs to cover loss of earnings, future loss of earnings, and £7,500 for damages for injury to feelings.

_________________
KODAKKAL SHIVAPRASAD,FUWAI,
Award Winner & Record Holder-International Biographical NOte.
PRO- www.disabilityindia.org/legalaid.cfm#1
Web:http://www.kodakkal.ning.com
http://www.giveindia.org/m-890-society-for-child-development.aspx

[Adverts]