Autistic worker wins £25k after flawed disciplinary investigation

An employment tribunal has ruled that J D Wetherspoon failed to make reasonable adjustments for an autistic kitchen worker during a disciplinary investigation over misuse of a staff discount, ordering the company to pay £25,412 in compensation. The employee was brought into a meeting without notice, given no explanation, questioned by an unfamiliar manager, and had his attempts to clarify the reason for the meeting ignored, leaving him unable to follow the process in a way he could understand. The tribunal concluded that the company’s “zero-tolerance” disciplinary approach, lack of adapted communication, and delay in offering tailored support placed him at a clear disadvantage and caused significant distress.