A former solicitor employed by Starling Bank has been awarded £1.1 million after an employment tribunal ruled that she had received unfavourable treatment and been unfairly dismissed.
As an asthmatic, Gulnaz Raja told her employer that she would need to work from home and have time off during the Covid-19 pandemic, but was dismissed in March 2020.
Representing herself, Raja claimed that she was unfairly dismissed and treated because Starling did not investigate her allegations of discrimination, and that she was victimised by the bank. Raja, who after being employed on a £76,000 annual salary with the bank had started her own law firm and obtained a part-time law lecturing role at a university, argued that it would take at least 10 years to replace her lost earnings.
Employment Judge Joffe found that Raja’s ill-health absences, need to work from home and requirement for further time off in particular were a material reason for her dismissal. The judge added that Raja was “doing her best in difficult circumstances” and would have been obliged to explain to potential employers that she was dismissed after raising a health and safety matter.
Raja was awarded £541,000 for past and future loss of earnings and other benefits, while her compensation was £658,000.
Judge Joffe said: “She lost her job at what would have been the worst possible time in recent history and was presented with grave difficulties in obtaining new work at that extremely stressful and difficult time. We could see from the claimant’s career before and after her dismissal by the first respondent significant evidence of hard work, resilience and adaptability.”
A Starling Bank spokesperson added: “We respect the final decision of the tribunal and have taken on board the findings to ensure that we are continuing to learn as an organisation in seeking to uphold the highest standards. Our hope is this now brings the matter to a close for all those involved.”