Rotherham Council ordered to pay £4,000 after former assistant chief executive’s “offensive” comments

An employment tribunal found that comments made by former assistant chief executive Shokat Lal to Yassir Mahmood “amounted to disability-related harassment”.

Evidence as part of the tribunal alleged that Shokat Lal, who served as RMBC’s assistant chief executive and the claimant’s line manager at the time, told Mr Mahmood that he should “manage your own life”, and that it is “it’s not the organisation’s responsibility” when he made a flexible working request.

The comments left Mr Mahmood feeling “offended, humiliated and degraded”.

Mr Lal denied making the comments.

A spokesperson from Rotherham Council said: “The council does not comment on individual cases.

“The council endorses flexible ways of working, making reasonable adjustments for employees where appropriate to do so and in accordance with policy and the Equality Act.”