Bleasdale loses appeal against unfair dismissal
15 April 2014
Kate Bleasdale, the founder and former executive vice-chairman of healthcare and medical recruiter HCL, has had her appeal over unfair dismissal against her former employer dismissed.
Tue, 15 Apr 2014Kate Bleasdale, the founder and former executive vice-chairman of healthcare and medical recruiter HCL, has had her appeal over unfair dismissal against her former employer dismissed.
HCL dismissed Bleasdale for gross misconduct in March 2011 after a disciplinary investigation. Bleasdale took HCL to an employment tribunal claiming that she was a whistleblower after discovering financial irregularities, and a victim of sex discrimination. In 2012, the Central London Employment Tribunal decided that Bleasdale had been dismissed fairly, leading her to appeal.
In its written judgement against Bleasdale, the employment tribunal (EAT) said: “We have no hesitation in saying that, in our collective judgement, no error of approach is present in this employment tribunal’s long judgement.”
The EAT stated that in this case it had no inclination to rewrite the original judgement of the employment tribunal.
Peter Sullivan, HCL chairman, says: “While our focus has always remained forward looking during this two-year period, it is good to bring closure to this aspect of HCL’s past. The management team is committed to building a sustainable business built on integrity, innovation and excellence.”
HCL dismissed Bleasdale for gross misconduct in March 2011 after a disciplinary investigation. Bleasdale took HCL to an employment tribunal claiming that she was a whistleblower after discovering financial irregularities, and a victim of sex discrimination. In 2012, the Central London Employment Tribunal decided that Bleasdale had been dismissed fairly, leading her to appeal.
In its written judgement against Bleasdale, the employment tribunal (EAT) said: “We have no hesitation in saying that, in our collective judgement, no error of approach is present in this employment tribunal’s long judgement.”
The EAT stated that in this case it had no inclination to rewrite the original judgement of the employment tribunal.
Peter Sullivan, HCL chairman, says: “While our focus has always remained forward looking during this two-year period, it is good to bring closure to this aspect of HCL’s past. The management team is committed to building a sustainable business built on integrity, innovation and excellence.”
