Financial accountant dismissed for management style: race discrimination claim fails
An employment tribunal has dismissed claims of race discrimination and harassment brought by a financial accountant who was sacked after five months for her management style and refusal to accept suspension.
1 min read · Last updated 18 May 2026
Case details
- #race-discrimination
- #harassment
- #management-style
- #suspension-refusal
- #reference-request
- #time-limit-extension
Key facts
- The claimant was employed as a Financial Accountant from 2 September 2019 until 29 January 2020.
- The claimant was dismissed after refusing to accept a suspension pending investigation into complaints about her management style.
- The tribunal found that the claimant's management style was the reason for the complaints and dismissal, not her race.
- The claimant's claim of race discrimination and harassment was dismissed.
- The respondent provided a factual reference when requested in October 2020.
Timeline
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Employment started
Claimant began employment as a Financial Accountant on a fixed-term contract.
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First team meeting
Claimant appeared disengaged; staff felt disrespected.
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Meeting about management style
Claimant was told to improve listening and communication with the team.
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Team meeting incident
Claimant cancelled a meeting, then attended late and uncommunicative; Mr Harrison had to chair.
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Staff complaints escalated
Staff told HR they were unhappy with claimant's management style and considering leaving.
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Suspension offered and refused
Claimant was offered paid leave pending investigation; she refused.
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Dismissal
Claimant was dismissed after refusing to leave the office; police were called but she left after speaking to Mr Harrison.
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Dismissal confirmed in writing
Letter confirmed dismissal due to management style and refusal to accept suspension.
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Appeal dismissed
Appeal hearing upheld dismissal; claimant's management style was found to be the reason.
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First claim presented
Claimant presented her first ET1 claim for unfair dismissal, race discrimination, etc.
The legal issue
The tribunal had to decide whether the claimant's dismissal and the events leading up to it amounted to direct race discrimination or harassment related to race.
The outcome
The tribunal dismissed all claims of race discrimination and harassment.
Key reasons:
- The complaints about the claimant's management style were genuine and not racially motivated.
- The claimant's refusal to accept suspension led to her dismissal, not her race.
- The respondent provided a factual reference when requested.
No compensation was awarded as the claims were dismissed.
Lessons & takeaways
- Employers can dismiss for management style issues if they are genuine and properly investigated, regardless of the employee's race.
- Refusing a reasonable suspension pending investigation can be a fair reason for dismissal.
- Race discrimination claims require evidence that the treatment was because of race, not just that the employee disagrees with the employer's decision.
A short-lived role ends in dispute
A financial accountant with just five months' service was dismissed after a series of complaints from staff about her management style. The employer, Saul D Harrison & Sons Plc (trading as Harrison Wipes), had tried to address the issue in a meeting in October 2019, but further incidents led to a decision to suspend the employee pending an investigation. When she refused to accept the suspension and would not leave the office, she was dismissed.
The employee claimed that the real reason for her treatment was her race, arguing that her management style was misunderstood because of cultural differences. She also alleged harassment related to race. However, the tribunal found that the employer's actions were based on genuine concerns about her conduct, not her race.
What the employer did right
The employer had a clear process: it listened to staff complaints, raised them with the employee, and offered a suspension to allow a fair investigation. When the employee refused, dismissal became a reasonable response. The tribunal noted that the employer provided a factual reference when requested, which further undermined the discrimination claim.
Why the claim failed
The employee had to show that her race was the reason for the dismissal or harassment. The tribunal found no evidence of this. Instead, the evidence showed that the employer's decisions were driven by the employee's management style and her refusal to follow a reasonable instruction. The case highlights that not every disagreement with an employer's decision amounts to discrimination.
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