Mum with cancer settles discrimination case against former employer for £40,000

You are viewing content from Q Mid Antrim 107. Would you like to make this your preferred location?
Mum of two and cancer survivor Siobhan Jacobs settled a discrimination case against her former employer for £40,000

By Q Radio News

A County Armagh mum of two and cancer survivor has settled a disability discrimination case against her former employer for £40,000. 

Siobhan Jacobs had worked with Yellow Door Ltd in Portadown for sixteen years after joining the company in 2003 and being promoted to Head of Events in 2014. 

When she took her case against the firm, she was supported by the Equality Commissioner for NI and the case was part heard in Tribunal in August 2021 before being settled. 

In February 2016, Siobhan was diagnosed with cervical cancer and returned to work six months later following treatment. 

In September 2017, Mrs Jacobs suffered another blow after being diagnosed with matastic lung cancer. 

Following treatment again, Siobhan returned to work on a phased part time basis in February 2019 but this time she felt there was a difference and she was unable to do her job properly. 

She said he found herself without access to basic equipment including a mobile phone and her desk and computer had been reallocated so she had to ‘hot desk’, which was only possible when colleagues were away from their desks. 

Siobhan also found she could no longer manage long 10-12 hour shifts, as they caused her pain and fatigue, so she raised the issue with her employer and gave them a letter from her consultant. Her doctor had advised Siobhan should not work shifts longer than 6 hours and that she needed to do light duties where possible.

Despite assurances, her employer did not meet with her to talk about her difficulties or her consultant’s advice and she was told that long shifts were in her contract and she had to fulfil them. 

After refusing to work one such long shift at an event, Mrs Jacob was asked to attend an investigatory meeting under the disciplinary policy and with the help of Macmillan Cancer Support, she wrote to her employer seeking reasonable adjustments to help her do her job.  

However, the day after receiving this letter her employer sent Siobhan a letter inviting her to a Disciplinary hearing for major misconduct.

Siobhan then raised a grievance with her employer and her solicitor also wrote to her employer raising concerns about her treatment.

After the grievance procedure concluded, with only some of her grievances being partially upheld, Siobhan felt she had no choice but to resign. She then contacted the Equality Commission.

Mum of two and cancer survivor Siobhan Jacobs 

Siobhan Jacobs said: “After four stressful days in Tribunal, I’m pleased my case has been settled.

"I have two young children to support and all I ever wanted was to get back to a job I had been in for such a long time, I had really enjoyed my job.

“I was a dedicated and hardworking employee throughout my time with Yellow Door and I thought they would fully support me to get back to work after my treatment for cancer. I still find it hard to believe that after 16 years loyal service, it ended like this.”

Geraldine McGahey, Chief Commissioner, Equality Commission for Northern Ireland said: “Siobhan had faced a life changing illness and despite the challenges, she wanted to work and make a positive contribution to her workplace.

"Many people like Siobhan face ill health and acquire a disability over the course of their working lives and the disability discrimination law protects them.

“Employers should have relevant policies and procedures in place to allow them to deal with employees requests for reasonable adjustments appropriately. Importantly they must ensure these policies are used when they are needed.

"Employers should also ensure that all staff and managers understand their rights and responsibilities.

“By supporting employees like Siobhan, employers can give people the opportunity to continue to work and live a full life whilst living with a disability”. 

Chief Equality Commissioner Geraldine McGahey

In settling the case, Yellow Door (Portadown) Ltd affirmed its commitment to the principle of equality of opportunity in employment and has undertaken to liaise with the Equality Commission, to review its equal opportunities policies, practices and procedures.

The company also confirmed that it will provide equality training to all management and staff in relation to their obligations and responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995.

More from Q Radio Local News


Join the Thank Q Club

Sign up for the Thank Q Club and receive exclusive offers, fun competitions and amazing prizes - it's quick and easy to do!

Sign Up Log In

Listen on the go

Download the Q Radio app to keep listening, wherever you are! It's available on Apple and Android devices.

Download from the App Store Download from Google Play