A Ministry of Defence worker at NATO headquarters sued for harassment after he wasn’t given a ‘good luck’ card when leaving his job.
James Eyles was ‘upset’ not to have his time on the base formally marked, an employment tribunal heard.
The accommodation stores manager claimed he had been targeted because of his disabilities – which included PTSD, depression, anxiety and paranoia.
However, the panel dismissed his claim, ruling that being given a card by colleagues was ‘discretionary’ and that he wasn’t the only one on his team not to have his departure recognised.
The hearing, held in Cambridge, heard Mr Eyles began working for the MoD in March 2020, managing their accommodation stores at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Mons, Belgium.
During this role, he was primarily responsible for providing furniture and soft furnishings to British MoD and NATO families and staff.
Mr Eyles was also responsible for the team based at Sennelager in Germany, but in May 2021 they were transferred to another manager in a different department.
This was part of a wider restructure, the hearing was told.
James Eyles began working for the MoD in March 2020, managing their accommodation stores at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (pictured) in Mons, Belgium
Mr Eyles told the tribunal this was a ‘demotion’, and after their removal from his management he was restricted to ‘menial tasks’ – motivated by knowledge of his disabilities.
He claimed that in October 2021 his boss ‘belittled and scolded’ him, telling him that he was ‘incompetent’ following a mix up over some furniture.
In December, the MoD became aware of his PTSD, depression, anxiety, and paranoia, the tribunal found.
In September 2022 he was told that his request for his tour to be extended by two years would not be granted.
He was told in an email that the reason for this was due to a ‘review’ of the department’s structure which resulted in posts not being extended.
In November 2022, he was rejected from a position as a housing manager and in March 2023 an offer for a role as the repair department manager at Sennelager was withdrawn.
When his tour ended in July 2023, Mr Eyles was not given a ‘good luck’ card or presentation which he claimed amounted to disability harassment.
‘[The MoD] accepts that when [he] left on 16 July 2023 he was not presented with a Good Luck card or presentation,’ Employment Judge Kate Hutchings said.
The Ministry of Defence worker sued for harassment after he wasn’t given a ‘good luck’ card when leaving his job (Stock photo)
‘[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.
‘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.’
Overall, the tribunal concluded that none of Mr Eyles’ claims were well-founded and many of them did not happen at all.
He still works for the MoD.
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MoD worker sues after colleagues fail to give him ‘good luck card’ when leaving his job