'Fell between the cracks' | Police force breached Equality Act over ADHD support and noise-cancelling headphones request, tribunal finds

A police force failed to make reasonable adjustments for an employee with ADHD and subjected her to harassment after questioning her diagnosis, an employment tribunal has found.

The case centred on Ms Donna Vale, a Victim and Witness Care Officer, whose request for noise-cancelling headphones was not acted on and whose manager later raised concerns that her diagnosis may be invalid or exploitative.

The tribunal upheld claims of harassment and failure to make reasonable adjustments, while dismissing other discrimination complaints.

Background to the claim

Ms Vale joined Avon and Somerset Constabulary in September 2023 under a fixed-term contract, having disclosed during onboarding that she had been diagnosed with ADHD.