A former council worker who accused colleagues of spying on her while she was off sick has had her harassment claims dismissed by an employment tribunal.
Debra Dugmore, a former team leader at Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, took leave between February 2021 and January 2022 after suffering an adverse reaction to a Covid vaccine. She claimed her line manager, Hayley Rowley, and another colleague repeatedly walked past her home to check on her, using a doorbell camera to capture evidence.
The tribunal heard a 15-second clip showing two people talking loudly outside Ms Dugmore's home, but the individuals could not be identified. Ms Dugmore argued the pair had 'continuously' walked past her house, located on a quiet street near green space, and that this was related to her sickness absence. The council said the colleagues were walking in the area following reports of travellers, and one said she was attending a family meal.
Judge David Faulkner dismissed all claims, stating the doorbell footage did not prove the council workers had walked past her home. He noted that Ms Dugmore was in constant contact with her line manager, who considered her absence genuine, and that the council had no reason to send colleagues to spy on her.
The judge suggested that an informal approach to dealing with employment matters may not be appropriate for some staff, but concluded that Ms Rowley had not breached her obligations. Ms Dugmore resigned in April 2022, shortly after returning to work.
