Therapist Wins £26k After Firing Over 10-Min Breaks

A therapist, Iunia Butunoi, has successfully won over £26,000 in compensation following an employment tribunal ruling that she was unfairly dismissed due to disability discrimination. Ms. Butunoi, who suffers from endometriosis and tendonitis, was employed by Nurture Chiropractic Clinic in Essex between November 2020 and November 2022.

Ms. Butunoi requested ten-minute breaks between clients to manage her conditions. The clinic, part of the Turner Health Group, initially declined this request, citing the business's small size and the need for reliable service. Her subsequent periods of sick leave, related to her wrist injury, endometriosis, anxiety, and depression, ultimately led to her termination in November 2022.

The East London tribunal found that her dismissal was significantly influenced by her absences and the uncertainty of her return. It was noted that another staff member with a similar absence record was treated more leniently, being offered a phased return to work. The tribunal concluded that dismissing Ms. Butunoi without offering her requested breaks was not a proportionate means of achieving the clinic's stated aims of fair and consistent staff treatment.