A beauty therapist who was dismissed shortly after asking for flexible working hours to manage her menopause symptoms has won £32,000 in compensation from an employment tribunal. Chantelle Van Vliet, 48, had worked at a Petersfield spa for two years and disclosed worsening symptoms including migraines, hot flushes and brain fog to her employer before being let go, along with the rest of the staff, in what was described as a redundancy. However, nearly all her colleagues were subsequently rehired under a rebranded business, while she alone was excluded without explanation, prompting the tribunal case.

An employment judge in Southampton ruled that Ms Van Vliet's employers had failed to provide any credible non-discriminatory reason for her dismissal, concluding the true cause was the inconvenience of accommodating her menopause-related disability. The clinic's director did not give evidence to counter this. Of the £32,000 awarded, half was granted specifically for "injury to feelings," reflecting the tribunal's finding that Ms Van Vliet was placed at a substantial disadvantage compared with colleagues due to her condition.