Teacher with sight loss receives £196,000 damages.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Gaynor Meikle, a secondary school teacher who faced discrimination at work from Nottinghamshire County Council because of her sight loss, has received £196,000 in compensation.
Gaynor Meikle, a secondary school teacher who faced discrimination at work from Nottinghamshire County Council because of her sight loss, has received £196,000 in compensation.
In July 2004, the Court of Appeal ruled that Mrs Meikle (57), a teacher with over thirty years experience was constructively dismissed and should have received full pay, not sick pay, when her sight deteriorated. The compensation follows that landmark legal ruling.
Mrs Meikle's case was supported by the Disability Rights Commission.
Gaynor Meikle reacted to her compensation by saying:
"I hope that both the legal judgment and the extent of damages I've received will mean that disabled people do not have to face this kind of blatant discrimination in future. However, I'm very sad at the way Nottingham County Council has responded to the judgement by not apologising and not making clear this won't happen to other employees."
Chris Benson, Senior Legal Officer, at the Disability Rights Commission said:
"I hope Mrs Meikle's damages will send a warning shot to employers that it can be extremely costly to break the law. All her employer needed to do was enlarge the font size of her teaching materials so that Mrs Meikle could read them. Not doing so has meant losing a valuable member of staff and a lengthy and costly legal process."
Category: General
Posted: Apr 7, 2006
