A former NatWest worker who was fired after undergoing cancer surgery has filed a £2m lawsuit against the bank. The woman, who has not been named, claims that she was unfairly dismissed and discriminated against because of her illness.
According to the lawsuit, the woman was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017 and underwent surgery to remove the tumour. She returned to work after a period of sick leave, but was fired just a few months later.
The woman claims that her dismissal was a direct result of her cancer diagnosis and treatment. She alleges that her employer failed to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate her needs, such as allowing her to work from home or reducing her workload.
The lawsuit also alleges that the woman was subjected to harassment and bullying by her colleagues, who made derogatory comments about her illness and treatment.
The woman is seeking £2m in compensation for loss of earnings, injury to feelings, and aggravated damages. She is also seeking a public apology from NatWest and a commitment to improve its policies and practices for employees with disabilities.
NatWest has not yet commented on the lawsuit, but has previously stated that it is committed to supporting employees with disabilities and has a range of policies and procedures in place to ensure that they are treated fairly and with respect.
The case highlights the importance of employers taking a proactive approach to supporting employees with disabilities, including cancer. Employers should ensure that they have appropriate policies and procedures in place to accommodate the needs of employees with disabilities, and should provide training to managers and colleagues to ensure that they are aware of their responsibilities and how to support their colleagues.
Employers should also be aware of the legal protections afforded to employees with disabilities, including the right to reasonable adjustments and protection from discrimination and harassment. Failure to comply with these legal obligations can result in costly lawsuits and damage to the employer’s reputation.
