An ambulance worker, Paula Smith, is set to receive a compensation of £14,000 after successfully challenging her dismissal by the NHS. This action stemmed from an incident where Paula’s wife, Stacey, assaulted their supervisor, Michala Morton, with a hammer at their home following a belief that Morton was hindering their time off together. Despite Paula’s lack of involvement in the attack, she was terminated from her position at the North West Ambulance Service Trust where she worked as an Ambulance Care Assistant.
The employment tribunal in Manchester ruled that Paula, who had been employed in patient transport for 26 years and worked alongside her wife, was unfairly dismissed. The tribunal heard that the couple had raised grievances against Morton, which were not adequately addressed. Stacey’s violent assault on Morton led to Paula’s arrest on harassment and threats allegations, resulting in her suspension and subsequent dismissal.
Despite being cleared of any criminal charges by the Greater Manchester Police, Paula faced termination from her job due to her association with the incident involving her wife. The tribunal found that the decision to dismiss Paula was premature and unjustified, as she was only connected to the assault through her marital relationship with Stacey. The tribunal highlighted that once Paula was released from bail and no longer under investigation, there was no legitimate basis for her dismissal.
Following an unsuccessful appeal, Paula’s wife, Stacey, was convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison with an extended license period. The tribunal revealed that Stacey had ended her relationship with Paula. Employment Judge Paul Holmes concluded that Paula’s dismissal was unjust as it was primarily based on her marital ties to a colleague involved in a criminal act. The tribunal emphasized that the trust should have explored alternative options before terminating Paula’s employment. The exact compensation amount for Paula is yet to be determined.