Disability discrimination | Employee told his illness 'would not suit the needs of the business'

A recent tribunal has decided that an Essex-based hospital discriminated against an employee with a disability.

The aspiring employee at Harlow's Princess Alexandra Hospital, who has Scheuermann’s disease, severe fibromyalgia and Pars Defect, secured a job as an A&E clerical coordinator at the hospital, a step up from the position he was currently working in.

While waiting for a start date, the candidate contracted some temporary shifts through NHS Professionals (NHSP). During this time, his fibromyalgia was aggravated, leading him to ask for a part-time role instead of a full-time position.

In response, the hospital told him “it would not suit the needs of the business for a part-time position”.