Tag Archive: Employment law; disability; working tim

What can we learn from Employment law cases in 2025?

Is cancer automatically considered a disability and can an employer cover an employee’s period of absence permanently? In Wainwright v Cennox Plc an employee was diagnosied with breast cancer and took a period of sick leave. A colleague was appointed to temporarily cover the employee’s position in her absence. When the temporary cover threatened to leave she was offered the cover role as a permanent position. On their return from sick leave the employee with breast cancer raised a grievance which was not upheld and went on to win her claim for disability discrimination and constructive, unfair dismissal. She was awarded over £1.2M. This case highlights the importance of only making temporary changes when covering the role of an employee who is off sick. As with employees on maternity leave it is best practice to keep in...