Neurodiversity | Sighing at co-worker with ADHD was discriminatory, tribunal finds

Sighing or showing visible frustration toward a colleague with ADHD can constitute disability discrimination and harassment, a tribunal has ruled.

Robert Watson, a software engineer at Roke Manor Research Limited, succeeded in claims of discrimination arising from disability, harassment, and failure to make reasonable adjustments. Central to the tribunal’s findings was the conduct of his project lead, referred to as DT, whose non-verbal behaviour, such as “sighing and exaggerated exhales”, was ruled discriminatory.