Croydon, U.K. — A British woman who was subjected to workplace harassment that mocked her medical condition has successfully won a harassment claim. The case revolved around inappropriate conduct from her boss, who sent her images likening her to a character from the horror film “The Exorcist” during her struggles with seizures.
Charlene Friend, the claimant, had endured substantial trauma before the actions that led to the tribunal. In 2014, she was violently attacked, resulting in a head injury that left her with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and cognitive impairments. Working as a housing officer for MHS Homes in Kent since 2018, Friend’s medical issues worsened due to workplace stress leading to the seizures that were the subject of the mockery.
Her manager, Lisa Gilbert, referred to Friend as ‘Regan’ — the possessed child from “The Exorcist” — and sent her disturbing images from the movie which depicted the child foaming at the mouth. This act of mockery not only denigrated her condition but also impacted Friend deeply on a psychological level, particularly conflicting with her Christian faith and beliefs in demonic possession.
The tribunal heard that Gilbert’s behavior included derogatory comments claiming individuals with mental health issues are merely “attention seekers.” This was not the isolated incident — during a restructure in the workplace in 2019, Friend found the adjustments and increased training challenges overwhelming. An overheard conversation in 2020 where Gilbert criticized Friend’s performance exacerbated the situation, resulting in Friend being signed off from work due to stress and eventually led to her first seizure.
Having been diagnosed with dissociative seizures, which are episodes causing one’s eyes to roll back and speech difficulties as a result of psychological trauma, Friend’s condition was a clear disability. Despite this, her work environment grew increasingly hostile, culminating in her dismissal in February 2024 on health grounds after a prolonged period of medical leave.
The tribunal found Gilbert’s actions and comments grossly inappropriate, especially coming from a managerial position. These were deemed offensive, unwanted, and immensely distressing for Friend, aligning with definitional harassment on the basis of disability.
While Friend won her case regarding harassment and discrimination, adjustments at her workplace were deemed inadequate by the tribunal. Claims that her dismissal was itself discriminatory and unfair were not upheld. The tribunal has scheduled a later date to determine the compensation owed to Friend for the undue hardship she endured.
This case emphasizes the crucial balance employers must maintain in supporting employees with disabilities and ensuring a workplace is inclusive and safe from discrimination. It highlights the importance of understanding and respecting mental health and medical conditions in professional settings, underlining that inappropriate jokes or references, especially from those in authority, can have severe personal and legal consequences.