Hospital Porter Dismissed Over Mask Policy Loses Legal Challenge

Tribunal rules dismissal of long-serving porter for refusing to wear a Covid mask was fair, citing patient safety and NHS mask mandates.

Graham Fordham, a hospital porter with 20 years of service, was dismissed in December 2021 for refusing to wear a face mask during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Fordham cited anxiety and difficulty breathing as reasons for his refusal to wear a mask, which was required under government and NHS guidelines for hospital staff.
The Watford employment tribunal dismissed Fordham's claims of unfair dismissal and disability discrimination, stating that mask-wearing was essential for his patient-facing role.
The hospital had explored alternative roles for Fordham, but all required compliance with mask mandates, leaving no viable options for his continued employment.
The tribunal concluded that safety measures, including mask-wearing, were critical in the hospital setting and could not be substituted with alternatives like social distancing.