Nine month wait - Some adjustments still not implemented after nine months

The human cost

Early retirement - Career cut short due to preventable decline

Mental health crisis - Acute deterioration requiring intervention

Relapse - Return of depression and anxiety symptoms

The employee's condition worsened significantly during the waiting period. What could have been managed became a crisis.

The financial penalty

Total compensation: £202,452.03. The Tribunal ruled that Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust had failed in its duty under the Equality Act.

 

A leadership failure, not just policy

Urgency gap

Leaders failed to create systems that prioritised time-sensitive accommodation requests.

Cultural blindspot

The organisation's culture allowed reasonable adjustments to be treated as optional extras.

Systemic issue

This wasn't an isolated incident but a symptom of organisational dysfunction.

The case highlights that even healthcare providers can fail at supporting employee wellbeing.

Delay is not neutral

Request made - Employee asks for support

Inaction period - Organisation delays response

Health deteriorates - Employee's condition worsens

Costs accumulate - Human and financial toll grows

Every day of inaction increased both suffering and financial liability. What seemed like minor delays had major consequences.

Three critical Q's for leaders

Recognition - Would your managers recognise a request for reasonable adjustments when they hear one?

Urgency - Do your team members understand how quickly they must act on accommodation requests?

Process - Is your return-to-work process robust enough to protect both people and the business?

These questions reveal whether your organisation treats reasonable adjustments as a core business priority.

Beyond compliance: A Leadership imperative

Legal compliance - Meet minimum statutory requirements

Cultural commitment - Build systems that prioritise support

Leadership excellence - Create a workplace where everyone can succeed

Supporting inclusion and employees mental health isn't just about avoiding tribunals. It's about building organisations where people can do their best work.