Managers hearing internal appeals should be reminded of the importance of taking into account any new information or evidence that comes to light after an initial decision to dismiss but before the appeal hearing, particularly where that information relates to being disabled. This could mean adjourning to obtain medical evidence where appropriate.
In Baldeh v Churches Housing Association of Dudley and District Ltd, an employee dismissed for poor performance only disclosed that she suffered from depression, which affected her performance, at the appeal hearing. The EAT ruled that the tribunal had been wrong to reject her claim that the dismissal was disability discrimination simply because the employer had no actual or constructive knowledge of the disability at the time of the decision to dismiss, given it arguably did have such knowledge at the time of appeal and the appeal was an integral part of the dismissal.
The judgment also underlined that a claim of discriminatory dismissal because of "something arising in consequence of the disability" need only establish that the "something" had a material influence on the employer's decision to dismiss and not that it was the sole or main reason. The case was remitted to be reheard.
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