My name is Lisa White and I am a primary school teacher seeking your support in challenging the unfair treatment experienced at the hands of my former employer – disability discrimination, harassment, victimisation and unfair dismissal – which has turned my life upside down, exacerbating existing physical and mental health difficulties and triggering previously unknown underlying medical conditions (including neurological, cardiovascular and autoimmune disorders), severely impacting upon daily life.

Failure to adhere to policies and professional standards

In October 2015, I was absent from work on account of my disability; failure by the School to adhere to their own absence management procedure meant that I was not provided with appropriate support and reasonable adjustments following three short-term absences, which intensified my condition and led to a long-term absence. The School continued to fail in their duty of care when I was invited to an informal welfare meeting to review my absence, at which I was disciplined and issued a warning without any input from Occupational Health. Although I appealed against this warning, providing a strong case backed up by substantial evidence, it was upheld by an equally flawed process.

This was just the start of a long campaign of unfair treatment, harassment and victimisation which rendered a successful return to work impossible despite my committed and determined efforts to provide the highest standards of education for my students.

Why I need your help

Being victimised and unfairly dismissed as a result of challenging discriminatory practices is something that nobody should have to face, particularly by those possessing protected characteristics under the Equality Act – it implies to other whistleblowers that speaking out simply isn’t worth it, that unfair treatment by superiors is ‘acceptable’ in the workplace and should not be questioned or reported.

I need to raise money to support and pursue my claim at an employment tribunal hearing in May 2019.

Please pledge and share today to ensure that those in positions of responsibility are held accountable for their actions, and to enable all employees to work in an environment free from prejudice and fear.