UK Employment Law Case: Mallory v Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust | Disability Discrimination & Employer Duties
UK Employment Law Case: What Employers Must Learn About Disability Discrimination
A recent Employment Tribunal case, Mallory v Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, has reinforced the importance of employers meeting their obligations under the Equality Act 2010, particularly in relation to disability discrimination and reasonable adjustments.
Case Overview (Facts Only)
The Tribunal considered whether the employer had:
Adequately recognised an employee’s disability
Taken appropriate steps to support them
Made reasonable adjustments to remove workplace disadvantage
The case highlighted failures in communication, delays in implementing adjustments, and insufficient consideration of medical evidence.
Key Employer Responsibilities
Under the Equality Act 2010, employers must:
Identify when an employee may have a disability
Seek appropriate medical or occupational health advice
Implement reasonable adjustments in a timely manner
Regularly review adjustments to ensure they remain effective
Failure to act can result in claims for:
Disability discrimination
Failure to make reasonable adjustments
Constructive dismissal
HR Best Practice
To remain compliant and reduce risk, employers should:
✔ Maintain clear records of all discussions and adjustments
✔ Train managers on recognising potential disabilities
✔ Act promptly on medical recommendations
✔ Ensure policies reflect current legal obligations
Comment from Matthew Chilcott – Owner, Consensus HR
“Employment Tribunal cases like this clearly demonstrate that delays or inaction around reasonable adjustments can lead to significant legal and financial risk. Employers must be proactive, not reactive, when supporting their teams.”
How Consensus HR Supports Your Business
At Consensus HR, we support businesses with:
Occupational Health referrals
Policy development aligned to UK law
Ongoing HR advice for complex employee cases
Training for managers on Equality Act responsibilities
👉 https://www.consensushr.com
📞 01438 576750
Your Outsourced Human Resources (HR) Department.
For further information on any of the HR subjects we provide, please click the heading below:
