Episode 37: Cleaner Dismissed for Eating a Leftover Sandwich; Mason Greenwood's Rumoured Return; Christian Horner's Investigation at Red Bull; Council Worker Wins £4.6 Million in Disability Claim

The Lawdown: Employment Law Podcast Series from CM Murray LLP

We are delighted to share Episode 37 of The Lawdown, our regular podcast discussing the latest key employment, discrimination and partnership law-related news stories, and the interesting legal issues behind them! You can listen to the episode here.

In our latest episode of The Lawdown, Partner Beth Hale, Partner Emma Bartlett and Associate Kia Aoki discuss the following:

1. A Cleaner was apparently dismissed by an employment agency, for eating a leftover sandwich which she believed would be discarded after a lawyer’s meeting at a city law firm. She has reportedly asserted claims for race discrimination and unfair dismissal, which is supported by her union In light of this, we discuss the expectation of honesty between employers and employees, and the difficulties that may arise in bringing her claim.
   
2. There has been speculation that Mason Greenwood, a footballer for Manchester United, may return to the team following the charges of attempted rape and assault being dropped, and an investigation by club management being concluded. We discuss the issues employers may face where an employee is accused of criminal conduct, and factors employers can consider to move things forward.
   
3. Christian Horner has been cleared of misconduct after an investigation conducted by Red Bull, whilst the employee who accused him of inappropriate behaviour has been suspended. We discuss the grounds for suspension of an employee during an investigation, and the importance of carefully considered investigation outcomes for employers.
   
4. The Hammersmith and Fulham Council were ordered to pay £4.6 million after dismissing a senior employee who suffered Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after working with Grenfell Tower fire survivors. We discuss the key features of the claim, and why the compensation awarded was larger than what is usually awarded by the Employment Tribunal.