Jessica O'ConnorA health worker battling cancer has been granted £330,000 in compensation after being fired for refusing to report to the office during the Covid-19 pandemic.
As reported by The Telegraph, Samir Mohamed, aged 75, worked as a medical auditor for the Kuwait Health Office in London.
When the pandemic began in 2020, his employer insisted he either work from the office or face termination.
Employed since 2009, Mohamed initially served as an in-house doctor before transitioning to the role of medical auditor in 2018. His responsibilities primarily involved reviewing and approving medical expenses for Kuwaiti nationals receiving treatment in the UK.
Mohamed contacted his supervisor, known as Mr. Naif, on March 13, 2020, citing flu-like symptoms and subsequently took annual leave from March 24 to April 27 due to his ongoing battle with prostate cancer.
Despite providing a doctor’s note and expressing his ability to work remotely, Mohamed was terminated in May.
The tribunal found that Mohamed’s dismissal stemmed from his need to shield due to health concerns, constituting discrimination based on age and disability.
It concluded that the policy requiring physical presence disproportionately affected individuals over 70 and those with medical conditions like prostate cancer.
The tribunal also ruled that terminating Mohamed’s contract was not a proportionate response, as alternative work arrangements could have been explored. Mohamed was awarded £332,590 in compensation, though not all of his claims were upheld.
