US EditionSighing at a colleague in frustration is discrimination, tribunal rules
- A U.K. employment tribunal ruled in May 2025 that a manager’s sighing and gestures at Roke Manor Research constituted disability discrimination against software engineer Robert Watson.
- The ruling followed Watson’s 2022 ADHD diagnosis and his manager DT’s visible frustration linked to Watson’s work patterns and timekeeping under project pressure that affected performance.
- The tribunal determined that DT’s nonverbal expressions of frustration were directed at and isolated Watson, while the company did not promptly implement accommodations that could have reduced pressure on both the employee and his manager.
- Judge Rayner stated that nonverbal cues like sighing amount to unlawful discrimination and that Roke Manor Research should have identified and met accommodation needs after the ADHD diagnosis.
- The case highlights growing expectations for inclusive management and may prompt employers to improve training and support for neurodivergent staff to prevent similar discrimination.
9 Articles
9 Articles
Sighing in frustration at colleague was discriminatory, judge rules – Hoffeldt
Personnel Today The claimant joined Roke Manor Research in 2020 as a software engineer, but struggled with poor timekeeping. He was later diagnosed with ADHD. The post Sighing in frustration at colleague was discriminatory, judge rules appeared first on Personnel Today. Go to Source 23/05/2025 – 12:04 /Adam McCulloch SoMe: @hoffeldt.bsky.social
Sighing in frustration at colleague was discriminatory, judge rules
The claimant joined Roke Manor Research in 2020 as a software engineer, but struggled with poor timekeeping. He was later diagnosed with ADHD. The post Sighing in frustration at colleague was discriminatory, judge rules appeared first on Personnel Today.
A landmark ruling by an employment tribunal in the UK. Repeated excessive sighing by a superior towards an employee can constitute bullying. Commentators have stressed that the precedent could have a significant impact on future cases of this type.
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