Disabled project worker wins settlement after being forced to resign

A disabled project worker who was forced to resign from her job has been granted £7,000 in a settlement with Salford City Council. Mrs Shirley Jones was employed as a project co-ordinator for a scheme running activities for disabled and older people in Boothstown, Salford. Her post was funded by Salford City Council.

In February 1999 Shirley was diagnosed with a rare disease of the immune system and a painful condition called Fibromyalgia. After finding out about her diagnosis she was told that she would have to resign her post because she could no longer do the job.

Upset by this, and aware that she was about to undergo chemotherapy, Shirley contacted the Council but they refused to accept that she was an employee because the project was set up as a voluntary organisation. In March 2000 the funding for the project that she was working on was withdrawn. Due to the anxiety and uncertainty of the situation Shirley Jones resigned.

The Disability Rights Commission took up her case on the grounds that she had been unfairly discriminated against because of her disability and for constructive dismissal. Salford City Council settled the case for £7,000 and a job reference.

Under Part II of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 an employer, who employs 15 or more employees, must make a reasonable adjustment to the workplace to allow a disabled person to do their job unless the employer can prove that it is 'unreasonable'.

For more information, please contact Sue Pratt or Alyson Rose at the Disability Rights Commission on (020) 7211 4061.
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