A London bus driver was awarded nearly £60,000 in damages in May after an employment tribunal judged he was unfairly dismissed from his job after developing diabetes.
David Hoggett worked for Abellio London Limited – which operates the capital’s iconic red buses – and claimed sick pay after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in April last year.
A doctor put him on a course of medication, but after trying to return to work he suffered a setback and was again signed off sick, eventually being dismissed in July 2012 on medical grounds of “capability”.
But he sued the company for unfair dismissal and discrimination on the grounds of his disability and successfully won his claim at the tribunal hearing, being awarded £10,000 compensation for injury to feelings and two years of his salary, almost £47,000.
In response, the company said that while it was “disappointed” with the result, it would abide by the tribunal’s conclusions.