Former firefighter wins unfair dismissal tribunal

AUTHORITY DEPRIVED HER OF REDEPLOYMENT CHANCE

- By GARETH LIGHTFOOT Local democracy reporter

A FORMER firefighter has won her unfair dismissal case against Cleveland Fire Authority.

Julie Wilkinson, 57, was sacked unfairly from the fire brigade, an employment tribunal has found, following a hearing at Teesside Magistrates’ Court in June.

In her fourth claim against the authority, she claimed unfair dismissal and discrimination because of a disability, and victimisation because she made two previous claims, one of which was a successful sexual harassment claim in 2023, saying she faced “endemic” failings and was “desperate for help” at the time.

Cleveland Fire Authority maintained it acted reasonably dismissing her in March 2024, just over two years after she went on sick leave. However the tribunal found her complaint of unfair dismissal was “well-founded” and successful, as was one claim of unfavourable treatment from disability. It dismissed the victimisation claim and a second claim of unfavourable treatment from disability.

Ms Wilkinson, from Redcar, worked as a firefighter from 2009 and was on sick leave from February 2022 following a deterioration in her mental health.

She had been diagnosed with anxiety and depression following “worsening work issues” and a “hostile work environment’, according to an occupational health report.

She was absent from work for just over two years, with her role covered by officers working overtime and being deployed from other stations.