Rachael Wright-Turner, a former director of public service reform with the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, has been awarded a record-breaking £4.6 million in compensation and
damages following a successful lawsuit against her former employer for disability discrimination and harassment.
The employment tribunal's ruling comes after Wright-Turner, 52, was dismissed from her role in 2018 while on sickness leave due to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which she developed while working with victims of the Grenfell Tower tragedy at Kensington and Chelsea council.
The devastating fire in June 2017 claimed the lives of 72 people in the 24-storey residential block.
This payout is believed to be the largest ever granted against a public body, but Wright-Turner has emphasized that she never desired to pursue legal action. The six-year legal battle has taken a toll on her family and mental health, leading to significant personal and financial hardships.
Speaking to The Mail on Sunday, Wright-Turner shared the devastating impact of the ordeal on her family, revealing the collapse of her marriage, financial struggles, and emotional distress experienced by her children.
Wright-Turner's troubles began when she was signed off work in May 2018 after a PTSD-triggered panic attack during a meeting at a local pub. Shortly after, senior officers accused her of being drunk before seeking medical help.
Moreover, her recent diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) was met with insensitive remarks from the council's former chief executive, exacerbating her distress.
Dismissed from her £125,000-a-year position without proper discussion or challenge, Wright-Turner felt misunderstood and unfairly treated by her employer. She lamented the council's lack of empathy towards her PTSD, describing their dismissal as dismissive and derogatory.
Despite the significant compensation awarded, Wright-Turner acknowledges the burden on taxpayers and expresses her willingness to forego the payout if it meant avoiding the ordeal altogether. However, she feels compelled to clear her name and seek justice for the unjust treatment she endured.
In response, the council expressed regret for Wright-Turner's experiences but intends to appeal the decision, citing the perceived excessiveness and unprecedented nature of the compensation award. Photo by Natalie Oxford, Wikimedia commons.