28 August 2026
Michael Michaeloudis featured in the press on menopause discrimination case
Michael Michaeloudis, partner and head of employment at Spector Constant & Williams has shared his views with the press on a recent high profile discrimination.
Beauty therapist Chantelle Van Vliet has been awarded more than £32,000 by an employment tribunal after losing her job following a period of severe menopause symptoms. She had requested flexible working to help manage her symptoms. Just days later, she was the only therapist at the clinic who was not rehired when the business rebranded.
Ms Van Vliet worked as a Senior Aesthetic Therapist for Footlaffs Limited, now known as Always Time to Be Me Ltd, from June 2022 at its clinic in Petersfield, Hampshire. She subsequently brought a claim for discrimination before the employment tribunal and was awarded more than £32,000.
Michael comments: “This case serves as a further cautionary tale for employers that menopause can amount to a disability under the Equality Act 2010, which could give rise to legal duties to make reasonable adjustments, and liability in the Employment Tribunals if employers fail to take action for both disability and sex discrimination.”
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