Cancer Survivor Wins Appeal After Unfair Dismissal by Ofsted

After battling cancer and losing her job, Rupi Phullar just proved that courage in the courtroom can be as powerful as courage in treatment.

Phullar worked as an Ofsted inspector in Birmingham for eight years, checking that nurseries and childcare services met government standards. In March 2021, doctors diagnosed her with soft tissue cancer in her right shoulder.

She returned to work in October 2021 after completing treatment, ready to resume her career. Just five months later, Ofsted told her she would be dismissed because she couldn't fulfill all her duties.

The initial employment tribunal sided with Ofsted, ruling the dismissal wasn't disability discrimination. But Phullar refused to accept that decision.

This week, the Employment Appeal Tribunal overturned the original ruling in her favor. The new judgment recognized what happened to Phullar as both unfair dismissal and discrimination.

Her union, Unison, supported her throughout the appeals process. General Secretary Christina McAnea didn't mince words about the case.

"Rupi endured the trauma of a life-changing diagnosis and was then discriminated against and unfairly dismissed by her employer," McAnea said. "She should never have been dismissed in the first place."

The Ripple Effect

This victory reaches far beyond one woman's fight for justice. The ruling establishes clearer expectations for how organizations must accommodate employees returning after serious illness.

Cancer survivors often face invisible barriers when returning to work. They may need flexibility during ongoing treatments, modified duties during recovery, or simply time to regain their strength.

The judgment sends employers a clear message: supporting cancer survivors isn't optional. McAnea emphasized that lessons need to be learned from this case.

Thousands of workers return to their jobs each year after cancer treatment. This ruling strengthens protections for all of them, making workplaces more humane and legally accountable.

Phullar's willingness to appeal an unfavorable decision has created positive change that will help countless others navigate the difficult transition back to work after beating cancer.