A COUNCIL employee, who refused to accept increased supervision after a period of sickness and threatened to sue under disability discrimination legislation, has won a confidential pay-off from Fenland District Council. No details of the agreement have b

A COUNCIL employee, who refused to accept increased supervision after a period of sickness and threatened to sue under disability discrimination legislation, has won a confidential pay-off from Fenland District Council.

No details of the agreement have been released by the council but a report to the staff committee on Monday says three options were considered.

The committee was told the staff member had been absent for a prolonged period of time "due to a number of factors, and had a range of health issues which would be covered by the Disability Discrimination Act".

The report adds that while the employee was off, "several issues came to light about the individual's work performance, which would require overseeing and monitoring upon the employee's return to work".

There would have been "an increased level of support and management to ensure that the issues did not arise again".

Councillors were told it had become apparent the individual did not intend to return to work and was not receptive to the increased level of support and management suggested.

Furthermore, the individual had indicated the possibility of making a claim against the council.

Councillors voted against continuing to pay occupational and statutory sick pay, and decided not to dismiss the employee on "capability grounds due to ill-health".

Instead, the council decided to negotiate "an appropriate exit strategy which would require the individual to sign a compromise agreement".