For James, the past year had been a relentless battle for justice. After experiencing discrimination at work due to his disability, he found himself facing a legal fight against his former employer. With limited options and mounting stress, he turned to our team at Citizens Advice Barnet for help.
James’s case was complex. He had been unfairly treated in his workplace, and despite raising concerns, he felt unheard. Knowing that pursuing a legal claim could be expensive and daunting, James wasn’t sure where to turn. Fortunately, he was able to access free legal support through our specialist employment team, who are among the few professionals in the country dedicated to helping workers in his position.
With our support, James pursued a claim under the Equality Act for disability discrimination. Our legal adviser, Rachel, worked tirelessly on his case, guiding him through every step of the process. After months of negotiations, a settlement was finally reached – securing £20,000 in compensation for injury to feelings.
“There was no way I could have done this alone,” James said. “Without Rachel and the team, I would have had to walk away with nothing. They understood my situation and fought for me.”
There were a few practical matters to wrap up before the case could be closed, including tying up loose ends around some disputed items and finalising communication with his former employer. Thanks to Rachel’s attention to detail, everything was handled quickly and with minimal stress for James.
As for tax concerns, we reassured James that he didn’t need to inform HMRC about the settlement, as compensation for emotional distress is generally not taxable. If HMRC ever had questions, we were ready to step in and assist.
Reflecting on the case, Rachel highlighted a broader issue: while the Equality Act is designed to protect workers like James, enforcement is another challenge altogether.
“The main problem isn’t the law itself – it’s that most people simply can’t afford to enforce their rights,” she explained. “Very few solicitors take on these cases for free or at low cost. Workers without legal representation often have no way to challenge discrimination. And to make matters worse, the Tribunal system is painfully slow and underfunded.”
Despite these systemic obstacles, we were able to help James achieve justice.
“Knowing there was someone fighting in my corner made all the difference,” he said. “I can finally put this behind me and move on.”
At Citizens Advice Barnet, we believe that everyone deserves fair treatment at work, regardless of their circumstances. If you or someone you know is facing discrimination or legal challenges, we’re here to help.
If you would like to support our work and help more people like James, find out more how you can get involved.