Council worker's age discrimination claim rejected after redundancy timing

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 20:20 · Archive

Lee Henley lost £350,000 in pension entitlements when Thurrock Council made him redundant three days before his 55th birthday.

Lee Henley worked for Thurrock Council in Essex for 35 years, beginning in 1989. By 2022 he had become Head of Information Management, maintaining an 'exemplary attendance record'. When made redundant on 22 July 2024, he lost £350,000 in pension entitlements because his redundancy date fell three days before his 55th birthday, when his full pension would have become available.

Thurrock Council was facing severe financial difficulties, having the highest level of debt of any local authority in England and being declared effectively bankrupt in 2022, with peak debt reportedly at £1.5 billion. In October 2023, PwC recommended major changes to various departments, including disbanding the Information Management department where Mr Henley worked, which would save £109,000. Mr Henley initially believed he would finish after his birthday, but changes to the redundancy plan brought in while he was on holiday moved the date forward by three days.

Mr Henley took his case to an employment tribunal claiming age discrimination. However, an employment judge has now dismissed his claim.

How it is being reported

• Council worker sued for discrimination after he missed out on £350k pension when he was made redundant three days before his 55th birthdayLee Henley had worked for Thurrock Council in Essex for 35 years when he was told restructuring plans within the authority meant he would be let go.Daily Mail · 23 Oct, 20:04
• Thurrock Council worker made redundant three days before 55th birthday misses out on £350k payoutLee Henley, now 57, took the case to an employment tribunal claiming age discriminationThe Independent · 23 Oct, 10:24

In this story: Lee Henley · Thurrock Council · Essex · PwC

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