Overview
- Employment Judge Zoe Thompson ruled that Karenne Sylvester’s dyspraxia, which affects short‑term memory, was the likely reason she used an incorrect pronoun for a colleague in February 2023.
- Faculty investigators Stuart Phillipson and Martin Banks were found to have ignored Sylvester’s disclosure about her condition and were held personally liable for disability discrimination.
- The tribunal said the university’s investigation and appeal were not fair, criticising “sloppy work” and noting incorrect information was provided to the appeal panel.
- University managers had previously concluded Sylvester had unlawfully harassed her colleague and she was transferred to a different team in September 2024 before being told in October 2024 she would not face disciplinary proceedings.
- The amount of compensation will be set at a later hearing, and Sylvester’s separate claims for victimisation and harassment were not upheld.