The Disability rights commission - Interesting!!!
Posted: Wed Mar 29, 2006 8:08 pm
Rugby coach settles disability discrimination case
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Mike Gregory has settled out of court in an employment tribunal against former employers Wigan Warriors where he had been head coach since 2003.
The club has agreed to pay £17,500 to Gregory, a former Great Britain captain after he took them to an employment tribunal claiming aggravated damages over their handling of his disability.
Gregory who has a neurological condition, was keen to continue in what he described as his “dream jobâ€.
After taking his team to the Challenge Cup Final, he took just one week off to go to the US for treatment. On his return, his consultants declared him fit for work and he was eager to resume his role. However his managers asked him to stay away.
The Disability Discrimination Act requires that employers make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to enable disabled employees and those with long term health conditions to carry on their work.
His role as head coach had been at a strategic level. He used his expertise and experience (he is a former Great Britain captain) to analyse games, identifying strengths and weaknesses, advising the team on how to optimise performance. Head coaches at top level are generally not expected to physically show players how to perform. They manage a team of assistant coaches who perform these duties if necessary.
His doctors had advised certain adjustments be made, such as a phased return to work and clear lines of responsibility. However his employers came back with a job description which included duties which seemed designed to exclude him from the role.
Gregory says “I feel robbed of a once in a lifetime opportunity. I am Wigan born and bred and I was very proud to be Head Coach of my home town team. As it is for players, it is for coaches, to represent your home town is a special privilege. The support of the players and fans has been exceptional throughout, this has been shown in many ways. If it was not for them, I do not believe I would have been chosen for the Head Coach in the first place.
“This was my dream job. I was proud to lead my team out into two finals. The supporters had belief in me and the team. I would never have betrayed this loyalty by returning to the job, if I felt in capable of doing it. My health was no different when I wanted to return to work than it had been at the Challenge Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium. However I was ‘frozen out’ from that then on.
“I feel the management of the Club failed to do their duty as a good employer. Never once did I feel they were trying to aid my return to work. The continuing support of the fans and the players has made a horrific experience bearable and I thank you all.â€
Agnes Fletcher, Assistant Director of Communications at the DRC said: “Sadly, Mike Gregory’s treatment reflects the experiences of many disabled people and those with long term health conditions who want to stay in work or return to work.
“Employers’ prejudice and ignorance about keeping on staff who become disabled can be costly - not just financially, but in the waste of human skills and experience.
“A few changes could have ensured that’s Mike’s expertise and commitment continued to be of value to the team he loves.â€
Notes
The Gregorys would like to thank Neil Derrick at the Coaches Association and Charles Hantom at Whittles solicitors for their support during this case.
Taken from http://www.drc.org.uk/newsroom/newsdeta ... 966§ion=1
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Mike Gregory has settled out of court in an employment tribunal against former employers Wigan Warriors where he had been head coach since 2003.
The club has agreed to pay £17,500 to Gregory, a former Great Britain captain after he took them to an employment tribunal claiming aggravated damages over their handling of his disability.
Gregory who has a neurological condition, was keen to continue in what he described as his “dream jobâ€.
After taking his team to the Challenge Cup Final, he took just one week off to go to the US for treatment. On his return, his consultants declared him fit for work and he was eager to resume his role. However his managers asked him to stay away.
The Disability Discrimination Act requires that employers make ‘reasonable adjustments’ to enable disabled employees and those with long term health conditions to carry on their work.
His role as head coach had been at a strategic level. He used his expertise and experience (he is a former Great Britain captain) to analyse games, identifying strengths and weaknesses, advising the team on how to optimise performance. Head coaches at top level are generally not expected to physically show players how to perform. They manage a team of assistant coaches who perform these duties if necessary.
His doctors had advised certain adjustments be made, such as a phased return to work and clear lines of responsibility. However his employers came back with a job description which included duties which seemed designed to exclude him from the role.
Gregory says “I feel robbed of a once in a lifetime opportunity. I am Wigan born and bred and I was very proud to be Head Coach of my home town team. As it is for players, it is for coaches, to represent your home town is a special privilege. The support of the players and fans has been exceptional throughout, this has been shown in many ways. If it was not for them, I do not believe I would have been chosen for the Head Coach in the first place.
“This was my dream job. I was proud to lead my team out into two finals. The supporters had belief in me and the team. I would never have betrayed this loyalty by returning to the job, if I felt in capable of doing it. My health was no different when I wanted to return to work than it had been at the Challenge Cup Final at the Millennium Stadium. However I was ‘frozen out’ from that then on.
“I feel the management of the Club failed to do their duty as a good employer. Never once did I feel they were trying to aid my return to work. The continuing support of the fans and the players has made a horrific experience bearable and I thank you all.â€
Agnes Fletcher, Assistant Director of Communications at the DRC said: “Sadly, Mike Gregory’s treatment reflects the experiences of many disabled people and those with long term health conditions who want to stay in work or return to work.
“Employers’ prejudice and ignorance about keeping on staff who become disabled can be costly - not just financially, but in the waste of human skills and experience.
“A few changes could have ensured that’s Mike’s expertise and commitment continued to be of value to the team he loves.â€
Notes
The Gregorys would like to thank Neil Derrick at the Coaches Association and Charles Hantom at Whittles solicitors for their support during this case.
Taken from http://www.drc.org.uk/newsroom/newsdeta ... 966§ion=1