Unfair dismissal hearing at tribunal

A long-serving Enterprise Inns regional manager has claimed she was unfairly dismissed because of her disability, at an employment tribunal.

Helen Townsend, who worked for Unique and subsequently Enterprise for 14 years, said she was dismissed because of the amount of time she took off with illness. Enterprise claims she colluded to help an Enterprise tenant she was socially involved with get beneficial terms on his lease renewal.

Townsend took no sick days in 2004, 22 in 2005 and 71 in the first half of 2009 as she underwent four surgeries for bowel problems, ending up on a life-support machine on one occasion. She complained of a "complete lack of support" from the pubco and that "no adjustments" were made to help her return to work.

She told the tribunal: "I have suffered discrimination and harassment because of my disability."

The pubco denies she was discriminated against and said she was dismissed for a breach of employer-employee confidentiality.

The allegation centres around claims by fellow regional manager David Sharp, who said he had phoned Townsend on 5 February 2009 — the day before her surgery — to discuss a lease surrender.

He claims the line was left open and he eavesdropped on a conversation between Townsend and John Pendry. It is alleged that Townsend was typing a letter for Pendry and urged him "to play hard ball" with Enterprise.

The pubco alleges that Townsend was overheard advising Pendry he could renew his original lease at the Man of Kent in Tonbridge should he wish to. It alleges she was also heard discussing the rent at the Ivy House in Tonbridge and the fact that there had been no other interest in the pub.

Enterprise's barrister Deshpal Panesar said: "You set out to take his side against the company that employs you."

Townsend denies this and says she was typing letters to Pendry and her daughter, advising them of her will before she went into surgery.

Judge SA Freer has retired to consider written submissions and his verdict.