A zookeeper who resigned from her position at Edinburgh Zoo after struggling to identify different monkey breeds has lost her bid for compensation at an employment tribunal.
Background of the Case
Lisa O'Hara, 36, alleged she faced 'degrading' treatment during her tenure at the zoo. She worked in two sections known as Bundongo and Living Links, which housed squirrel monkeys, capuchin monkeys, and other animals such as goats and gibbons.
Ms O'Hara received training to help distinguish capuchin monkeys but required additional time after failing a probationary training period. She resigned in February 2025, less than a year after starting her role.
Allegations of Discrimination
Ms O'Hara told the tribunal she felt 'excluded' from her team, was denied reasonable adjustments, and faced criticism related to her ADHD. She claimed a colleague made repeated negative comments about her timekeeping, and another allegedly said, 'It would be good if you could mask [your ADHD],' which she found 'discriminatory' and 'degrading.'
She also described feeling ostracised, including having to eat alone, and said she was subjected to 'unnecessary' scrutiny, such as being investigated via CCTV for being a minute late. Additionally, she raised concerns about health and safety practices, including ladder use, and claimed she faced worse treatment after highlighting these issues.
Tribunal Findings
Employment judge Brian Campbell dismissed all eight complaints related to her unfair dismissal claim, ruling that Ms O'Hara had failed to prove her case. The written judgment stated: 'When applying the relevant legal tests to the evidence in each of the complaints it was determined that they were unsuccessful. There was therefore no requirement to consider remedy.'
The judge acknowledged that Ms O'Hara 'had clearly experienced a negative effect on her health as a result of her time working with the respondent even though it and the individual respondents were found not to be liable in a legal sense. This is regrettable and it is hoped that there may still be scope for her to pursue her chosen career in a different setting.'
Response from Zoo Management
Ben Supple, deputy chief executive of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, which owns Edinburgh Zoo, said: 'We are pleased the tribunal agreed with our position and dismissed these claims.'
