Overview

• Jennifer Clifford, who joined British Airways in 1983 and became an in-flight manager, developed anxiety and depression during her Covid-era furlough and was declared unfit to fly in September 2021.
• After a stint in the Heathrow Help Hub, Clifford proposed a phased return at Gatwick to ease her commute, but British Airways set a termination date when she remained unable to resume flying.
• Employment Judge Emma Hawksworth ruled British Airways breached disability laws by failing to explore longer phased ground assignments or redeployment before dismissing her.
• The tribunal upheld Clifford’s claims of disability discrimination, failure to make reasonable adjustments and unfair dismissal, while rejecting her sex discrimination allegation.
• No details have been disclosed on the compensation amount or whether British Airways intends to appeal the ruling.