Home / Crime and Justice / Wrongly Fired for 'Drunkenness', Bipolar Manager Awarded £50k
Wrongly Fired for 'Drunkenness', Bipolar Manager Awarded £50k
13 Aug
Summary
- Manager wrongly accused of intoxication due to bipolar medication.
- Colleagues failed to assist or inquire about her condition.
- Tribunal awarded nearly £50,000 for unfair dismissal and discrimination.
Samantha Dallimore, a Customer Liaison Manager at AT Transport Solutions in Corby, Northamptonshire, was awarded nearly £50,000 after being unfairly dismissed. She was wrongly accused by her bosses of being intoxicated during her lunch break on March 14, 2024.
Ms Dallimore had taken her bipolar medication, which can cause drowsiness. After returning from lunch at a non-alcoholic café, she experienced side effects including drowsiness and confusion. Colleagues witnessed her condition but did not offer assistance or inquire about her well-being.
Despite her protests that she had not consumed alcohol, managers proceeded with her dismissal. She was fired for alleged gross misconduct. Ms Dallimore had a history of bipolar disorder, diagnosed in 2017, and was taking medication to manage the condition.
An employment tribunal ruled in her favor, finding her dismissal unfair and that she had been subjected to harassment and discrimination due to her disability. Employment Judge Isabel Manley stated there was no reasonable investigation and the company's actions had a discriminatory effect.
Ms Dallimore received a total award of £49,612, encompassing damages for discrimination, injury to feelings, future losses, and basic and compensatory awards.
