A London property manager has launched a landmark employment tribunal case against her former bosses, claiming she was subjected to discrimination and unfairly dismissed from her £45,000-per-year position after failing to send a congratulatory WhatsApp message celebrating the company's one-year anniversary.
The WhatsApp That Cost a Career
Rebecca Hocking, 38, had worked as a senior property manager at London-based Prime Property London for just over a year when the incident occurred. According to tribunal documents, company directors expected all staff members to post celebratory messages in a private WhatsApp group marking the firm's first anniversary in business.
When Hocking failed to participate in the digital celebration, she claims management began treating her differently, ultimately leading to her dismissal from the role she had held since March 2022.
A Pattern of Workplace Discrimination
The employment claim reveals deeper issues within the company's culture. Hocking alleges that her dismissal followed previous incidents where she felt targeted and discriminated against by company leadership.
Key allegations in the case include:
- Unequal treatment compared to male colleagues
- Creation of a hostile work environment following the WhatsApp incident
- Unfair dismissal procedures
- Violation of workplace discrimination laws
The Growing Problem of Digital Workplace Expectations
This case highlights the increasingly blurred lines between professional responsibilities and personal digital interactions in modern workplaces. Employment experts suggest that mandatory social media participation, even in private work groups, raises significant concerns about employee rights and workplace boundaries.
The tribunal will examine whether the expectation for employees to engage in non-essential digital communication outside formal work channels constitutes reasonable workplace practice, and whether dismissal for failing to meet such expectations can be considered fair.
Prime Property London has denied the allegations, stating that Hocking's dismissal was related to performance issues rather than the missed WhatsApp message. The case continues as employment judges prepare to hear evidence from both parties.
