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Liverpool Tribunal Orders HMRC Worker to Pay £20,000 After Dismissing Disability Claim Over Return to Office

The ruling followed medical findings that his conditions did not prevent a return to in-person duties.

Overview

  • Employment Judge Dawn Shotter dismissed Martin Bentley’s disability discrimination case, concluding there was no medical reason he could not work in the office.
  • The tribunal found he acted vexatiously and that his claims had no reasonable prospect of success.
  • Bentley, who cited anxiety, depression and stage-three kidney disease, worked from home from 2020 until retiring in September 2024.
  • An occupational health report in 2021 said there was no clinical barrier to telephone or office work, though it noted his personality and emotional response were poorly suited to telephony.
  • The tribunal rejected uncorroborated claims of a managerial conspiracy, and HMRC said it is an office-based organisation that offers flexible working where appropriate.