PwC ex-partner claims discrimination over stress leave
Colin Tenner claims redundancy was a cover up to force his departure while on long-term sick leave.
A former partner of PwC in Northern Ireland has taken the firm to an
employment tribunal claiming disability discrimination after he was made
redundant while on sick leave cause by workplace stress.
Colin Tenner claims the redundancy was a cover up to force his departure due
to his extended absence caused by stress-related mental illness.
He also claims that the firm failed to make the reasonable adjustments they
were required to make under the Disability Discrimination Act in order to
facilitate his return to work He says he was unable to consider an alternative
job offer in London as he had become primary carer for his mother in Northern
Ireland, who had suffered a serious stroke.
“We will argue that PwC failed in its responsibility to look after one its
partners properly in accordance with the disability laws and failed to address
properly his mental health problems,” said Rebecca Davidson, senior associate at
Fox Williams, representing Tenner. “This case will also develop the law of
associative disability discrimination which is discrimination at work not on the
grounds of the employee/partner’s own disability but on the grounds of the
disability of a relative for whom the employee/partner is caring.”
Tenner wants compensation for 15 years of lost future earnings.
In a statement PricewaterhouseCoopers said it: “rejects the claim made by Mr.
Tenner in relation to his employment with the firm. We believe that his claim is
completely without merit and we will vigorously contest it; we are confident
that we will be found to have acted entirely appropriately.”