Employers can be sued for denying agoraphobic staff the chance to work from home

The Independent describes its reporting approach as focusing on facts rather than messaging and emphasizes sending journalists to cover developing stories across political issues. It states that reporting and analysis are not restricted by paywalls and are funded by those who can afford them. A UK employment tribunal ruled that employers can be sued for discrimination if they deny employees with agoraphobia the option to work from home. The tribunal said that compelling people with agoraphobia, characterized by fear of crowded spaces and difficulty leaving home, to attend the office may constitute disability discrimination. The ruling followed a case brought by Marina Dudding, a council housing officer, who was prohibited from working remotely two days a week after returning from sick leave. She sued Gravesham Borough Council for disability discrimination and unfair dismissal and is set to receive compensation.

"Employers can be sued for discrimination if they deny employees with agoraphobia the option to work from home, a tribunal has ruled. The judgment says that compelling people suffering from the anxiety disorder which is characterised by a fear of crowded spaces and often an inability to leave home to attend the office may constitute disability discrimination under UK employment law."

"The landmark decision comes after Marina Dudding, a long-serving council housing officer with agoraphobia, was prohibited from working remotely two days a week upon her return from sick leave. Ms Dudding successfully sued Gravesham Borough Council in Kent for disability discrimination and unfair dismissal, and is now set to receive compensation."

"London South Employment Tribunal heard that Ms Dudding worked for Gravesham Borough Council from September 2000, with her final role being as an allocations officer within its housing options service. She worked 37 hours a week and from 2021, following the Covid-19 pandemic, she worked two days a week from home."

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