Disability Discrimination Case Studies

  • The person who is newest to the school will be the leader of this activity.
  • The person who has been at the school longest will be the scribe when we return to the Main Room.
  • Your leader will guide you through each part of the activity, following the instructions below.
  • Please make sure that all voices are heard.
  • Avoid specific names when discussing these examples.

Read through and discuss each of the following Case Studies.
Decide whether there has been discrimination and, if so, what kind of discrimination.

Your answers will be either:
A. No discrimination
B. Direct Discrimination
C. Direct Discrimination by Perception
D. Direct Discrimination by Association
E. Indirect Discrimination
F. Harassment
G. Victimisation 

Note: Some Case Studies may illustrate more than one type of discrimination.

Case Study One:
R works for the Business Support Team at the school. They have strong interpersonal skills, and want to move to a more customer-facing role that has become available within their team. R has a severe facial disfigurement and the move is denied by a manager who explains that R might make students feel uncomfortable. 


Case Study Two:
D interviews well for an internal promotion as Deputy Head. They score highest of all candidates but miss out on the promotion because it is assumed that the responsibilities and commitments required of the new role will be overwhelming to D who is known to have an elderly parent at home who is in the advanced stages of dementia. 


Case Study Three:
B has worked in the staff canteen for over two years. With some initial guidance, and clear step by step instructions they have excelled and now work very independently. 

A new position in the canteen becomes available so B asks if their younger sibling can apply. The supervisor is discouraging of this idea and informs HR that shortlisting B’s sibling would be a waste of time because they can’t be expected to “cope” with two “special” staff members. 


Case Study Four:
When M had to leave work early to collect their child from school, they explained to a colleague that the child had been bullied by some classmates because of TICS caused by Tourette’s Syndrome. 

On their return to the office the next day, some colleagues played what they considered to be a funny game of randomly calling out words, and mimicking tics.

M made it clear that they didn’t appreciate this behaviour but the colleagues continued with their “game” over the coming days. M feels intimidated and dreads going to work.


Case Study Five:
P has recently become Head of Department and has supported another teacher, T, in a complaint against their Head of Year, D. 

T believes that D has discriminated against them because of a hearing impairment. 

D was made aware of the complaint and now noticeably treats P differently; leaving P out of important emails, being critical when P seems unaware of changes that "everyone" was notified about and regularly interrupting and undermining P during meetings. 


Case Study Six:
K had been teaching for 12 years and had just taken on a new job at a school closer to home. 

At the end of the first term, K began to feel increasingly unwell and underwent a number of inconclusive tests. The consultant explained that it was likely that K was suffering symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome but that further tests would be required. 

Occupational Health agreed with the doctors that K would be unable to return to work until further tests had been done. The school initiated their ill health capability procedures and moved quickly to arrange a Stage 3 hearing to consider dismissal. K received a notice of dismissal several days later, the same day as receiving news of their cancer diagnosis.


Case Study Seven:
Happy Helpers is an inclusive company which proudly recruits a diverse workforce. They have recently secured a contract for a large Educational Trust to provide catering and cleaning staff at a range of locations.

One of their most valued employees is G who has worked with them for nearly two years. G is always on time for work, loves learning new skills and is always very conscientious. What everyone loves most about working with G is that they "know how to have fun but get the work done".

Some colleagues have recently observed a couple of the Site Maintenance Team appear to mock G, on a few occasions; they mimic G's voice and mannerisms and laugh loudly as they walk away.  The same people have also started making comments to G's Supervisor and colleagues, saying that they feel sorry that they "have to work with such @*%! people."



Case Study Eight:
For over 20 years, C has worked in the school office and has rarely taken any sick leave. Despite increasing issues with mobility and days where the pain of a worn knee cartilage can be unbearable, C attends work with an infectiously positive attitude and a smile for everyone.

Occupational Health recommended that some of C's duties should be adapted and that a suitable desk and chair should be provided to alleviate any unnecessary discomfort.

When a new office manager was employed, they were informed of specific needs within the team but insisted that "everyone should pull their weight."

C was told that they would be required to hand deliver daily morning bulletins to be read out in registration by each teacher.

Not one to cause trouble, C did as asked but within days began to really suffer even more severe pain in the left knee. Tearfully, C confided in a colleague who advised that the issue be raised with the new manager.

The manager's response was that if C "wasn't up to the job then perhaps they should consider their position"    

C and their supportive colleague decided to ask their Union for advice and a meeting was arranged with C, the Union and the Office Manager.

Since this meeting both C and the supportive colleague have been ostracised and ignored at work, with other team members siding with the manager.

ADDITIONAL CASE STUDIES TO DISCUSS

The person whose name is last alphabetically will be the leader of this activity.

Your leader will facilitate the discussion


Additional Discussion Topics

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