'Shambolic' | Airport security worker sacked over sick days after employer's 'tunnel vision' dismissal process

An airport security worker who was dismissed over her sickness record has been awarded almost £38,000 after an employment tribunal found her employer unfairly applied its attendance management policy and failed to properly investigate possible underlying health conditions.

Susan Caroline, who worked as a Security Supervisor at Aberdeen Airport, was dismissed by ICTS UK in December 2024 after recording 55 days of sickness absence over a period of almost 21 months. The tribunal found all of her absences were genuine and included time off following shoulder surgery, Covid-19 infections, an eye injury, illness and shoulder pain.

Employment Judge Smith concluded that the dismissal was unfair and ordered ICTS to pay a basic award of £7,350 and compensation of £37,779.21.

Tribunal criticises dismissal process and manager’s ‘tunnel vision’

The tribunal heard that Caroline had progressed through the company’s attendance management procedure before attending a contractual review meeting in November 2024. During that meeting, she raised concerns about anxiety, mental health issues and the possibility that she was suffering from reactive arthritis.