A secondary school teacher has been awarded a landmark £140,000 settlement after enduring what an employment tribunal described as systematic harassment by council officials during her recovery from major surgery.
The Harassment That Sparked the Case
The case centres around a mathematics teacher who took legitimate medical leave for a necessary operation. Despite providing full medical documentation, she faced intense pressure from Westminster City Council's occupational health team.
Shockingly, council representatives instructed her to "allow colleagues to take sick leave" while she was recovering from her procedure, creating an atmosphere of guilt and intimidation around her entirely justified absence.
A Pattern of Workplace Bullying
The tribunal heard how the teacher, who had dedicated over fifteen years to education, faced repeated challenges to her medical needs. Council officials engaged in what was described as "aggressive and unreasonable" behaviour, including:
- Demanding unnecessary medical evidence beyond what was required
- Questioning the validity of her surgeon's recommendations
- Creating pressure to return to work prematurely
- Making inappropriate comments about staff absence policies
Substantial Compensation for Suffering
The £140,000 settlement represents one of the larger awards for workplace harassment in the education sector recently. The compensation acknowledges not just the financial impact but the significant emotional distress caused by the council's actions.
Employment Judge Sarah King noted that the council's approach crossed the line from reasonable management to outright harassment, particularly given the teacher's vulnerable position during recovery.
Broader Implications for Employee Rights
This case sends a clear message to employers across the UK about respecting medical leave and treating employees with dignity during health challenges. Legal experts suggest it may encourage other workers facing similar harassment to come forward.
The ruling emphasises that genuine medical needs must take precedence over attendance statistics and that pressuring employees during recovery constitutes unacceptable workplace behaviour.
Westminster City Council has been ordered to review its occupational health procedures to prevent similar incidents occurring with other staff members in the future.
