Ms Stephanie Riste v Surrey and Sussex healthcare NHS Trust — 2023

The claimant resigned from her role as a medical secretary and alleged that the respondent had committed a cumulative breach of the implied term of trust and confidence, including through workload pressures, lack of support, handling of grievances, redeployment issues and the occupational health referral process.

The tribunal found that the grievance investigation was handled thoroughly and professionally, that the claimant's evidence was not disregarded, and that the report gave sufficient reasons for the decision reached. It also found that the claimant had not been denied redeployment, but had been placed on the redeployment register and told she would need to apply and interview for roles.

The tribunal found that the occupational health referral and workload-management steps did not amount to a breach of contract. It concluded that the respondent had not behaved in a way calculated or likely to destroy or seriously damage trust and confidence, and therefore the claimant had not established that she was dismissed. The unfair dismissal claim was rejected.