Neurodiversity | Police worker's sacking over sexualised jokes ruled unfair due to ADHD link

A Met Police employee dismissed after sending sexualised messages to female colleagues - including jokes about playing with his “joy stick” - was unfairly dismissed because the conduct was linked to his ADHD, an employment tribunal has ruled.

The tribunal found that Martin Madden’s condition affected his understanding of social cues and boundaries, and that dismissing him for gross misconduct over the comments amounted to discrimination arising from disability.

Sexualised messages spark complaints

Madden had worked for the Met since 2001 and was employed as a Quality Control Officer in the Police National Computer Bureau before his dismissal in February 2024, after complaints were raised by three female colleagues about messages laden with sexual innuendo.

One employee told the tribunal that, after she mentioned his PlayStation while he was off work, Madden replied: “yea you can’t beat a good old play with myself on my joy stick” with laughing emojis. She said she was “shocked and disgusted” and did not respond.