MOD employee sues for harassment after he wasn't given a leaving card

A Ministry of Defence (MOD) worker has failed in his bid to sue the organisation for harassment after not being given a "good luck" card when leaving his job. James Eyles worked as an accommodation stores manager at NATO's headquarters in 2020 being moved to a role in another location in 2022.

He claimed that he had been overlooked for recognition of his time in the job due to his disabilities, which included PTSD, depression, anxiety and paranoia. He told the court how he was left "upset" by the omission as he moved onto a new role which he saw as a "demotion". However the panel ruled against Mr Eyles, claiming that such presentations were "discretionary" and that other team members had also not been given one when leaving their roles.

Mr Eyles worked at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Mons, Belgium as an accommodation stores manager overseeing the issuing of furniture and soft furnishings to British MOD and NATO service families and staff.

He was moved to report to another manager in 2021 as part of a wider restructure but claimed that his new boss had "belittled and scolded" him, labelling him as "incompetent" after a mix up of furnishings.

He told the tribunal that the restructure had left him performing menial tasks and that he saw the move as a "demotion".

However, in 2022 he requested for his time in the role to be extended but was told that the organisation was unable to meet his request.

Mr Eyles was later unsuccessful in an application for a housing manager role and saw an offer of a role as the repair department manager at a military base in Germany withdrawn.

When he eventually finished his tour as the accommodation stores manager in Belgium, he was not given a card to wish him good luck, something he alleged was harassment based on his disabilities.

The tribunal concluded that none of Mr Eyles's claims were well-founded and many of them did not happen at all.

Employment Judge Kate Hutchings said: "The MOD accepts that when he left on 16 July 2023 he was not presented with a 'good luck' card or presentation.

"He did not challenge the MOD's evidence that not everyone had a presentation or received a good luck card when they left.

"Indeed, [another colleague] told us she did not get a presentation or card when she left her post in July 2024.

"Subjectively this was unwanted conduct as he was upset that his departure was not formally recognised.

"There is no evidence the reason he did not receive a card or presentation was due to his disabilities. His line managers were off sick at this time so could not organise this.

"In any event, it was discretionary for colleagues to arrange this. For these reasons, we conclude that this complaint of harassment related to disability fails."

Mr Eyles still works for the MOD.