Royal Mail Group Ltd

Case Summary

The claimant, employed by Royal Mail Group Ltd since 24 January 2005, was summarily dismissed on 25 October 2023 for alleged misconduct. The tribunal found the claimant was unfairly and wrongfully dismissed, but dismissed his disability and religion/belief discrimination claims. The tribunal found the claimant was not blameless and reduced awards by one third due to his contribution to the dismissal.

The tribunal found that whilst the respondent identified a potentially fair reason for dismissal (conduct), it failed to follow fair procedure by dismissing the claimant summarily without a disciplinary hearing when the claimant was sick, and a decision to dismiss for misconduct would have been outside the range of reasonable responses. The discrimination claims failed on the facts; the claimant was not disabled and the religion/belief claims were dismissed on time limit grounds.

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• •Whether the claimant was dismissed for a potentially fair reason (conduct)
• •Whether the respondent acted reasonably in treating conduct as sufficient reason for dismissal
• •Whether fair procedure was followed in the disciplinary process
• •Whether the claimant was disabled within the meaning of the Equality Act
• •Whether the claimant was discriminated against on grounds of religion or belief
• •Whether the claimant was entitled to payment in lieu of notice
• •Contribution and reduction for claimant's blameworthy conduct

1 EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNALS Claimant: Mr Jayachandran Kantharaja Respondent: Royal Mail Group Ltd Heard at: Watford Employment Tribunal On: 9, 10, 11 and 12 February (deliberation) 11 March 2026 Before: Employment Judge Alliott Ms S Johnstone Mr D Sagar Representation Claimant: Mr T Pacey (counsel) Respondent: Ms T Ahari (counsel) : RESERVED JUDGMENT The judgment of the tribunal is that: 1. The claimant was unfairly and wrongfully dismissed. 2. The claimant was not disabled within the meaning of the Equality Act at any relevant time between 26 April 2023 and 5 December 2023. 3. The claimant’s disability and religion and belief discrimination claims are dismissed. FULL REASONS Introduction 1. The claimant was employed by the respondent on 24 January 2005. The claimant was summarily dismissed on 25 October 2023, although his last day in service in the Royal Mail was 28 November 2023 as he had five weeks’ annual leave outstanding. 2. By a claim form presented on 4 February 2024, following a period of early conciliation from 11 December 2023 until 10 January 2024, the claimant presents complaints of unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal, failure to make reasonable 2 adjustments and direct discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief. The respondent defends the claims. The issues 3. There is an agreed list of issues as follows:- “UNFAIR DISMISSAL Unfair dismissal (ss 94, 98 Employment Rights Act 1996) 1. It is admitted that the Claimant was dismissed. 2. What was the reason or principal reason for the Claimant’s dismissal? The Respondent contends that the Claimant was dismissed for reasons of conduct. 3. Was that reason a potentially fair one? 4. Did the Respondent act reasonably in all the circumstances in treating it as a sufficient reason to dismiss …