Mind faces discrimination claims after internal probe calls for multiple improvements on equality

A disabled woman has accused Mind of discrimination after an internal investigation recommended that the mental health charity make multiple improvements to how it treats staff protected by the Equality Act.

Kuziva Punungwe-Mutandiro has spoken to Disability News Service (DNS) after complaints she made against her former employer were upheld by the charity’s internal grievance procedures.

She is now taking a claim for disability discrimination to an employment tribunal, and believes the charity is guilty of multiple breaches of the Equality Act, including a failure to make reasonable adjustments, disability discrimination, indirect discrimination, and an unfair consultation process.

She also believes she was victimised after complaining about the way she was treated.

Punungwe-Mutandiro, who has multiple sclerosis, says she was the only member of her team who had to be interviewed for a role after a restructuring process last autumn.

During the consultation process, blood tests revealed that she may have a rare and potentially fatal brain infection, which left her so distressed she was sent home.

Her therapist advised her she was not well enough to attend the interview on Friday 29 November, because of the blood test results and severe suicidal ideation and mental distress.

But Mind gave her a new interview date just one working day later, on Monday 2 December.

The interview went ahead while she was still suicidal and distressed and she was not offered a job, one of five members of Mind staff who were made redundant.

Despite complaining about her treatment to the charity’s chief executive, Sarah Hughes, she was eventually made redundant in March, even though complaints of failing to provide reasonable adjustments, and failing to provide adequate support to a disabled employee, were both upheld by the internal grievance process.

An internal investigation into the way she was treated concluded that, given that a manager was aware of her distress and the potentially fatal brain infection, the delay of one working day did not seem “a reasonable step” and that “more should have been done to make reasonable adjustments” through the process.

It also found no evidence that she was proactively offered support, despite the seriousness of her health problems.

The investigation made seven recommendations, including that Mind should improve its reasonable adjustments policy, review its health and wellbeing policy – particularly its guidance on supporting colleagues in a mental health crisis – and examine whether the redundancy process had a disproportionate impact on disabled people, people of colour, and other groups protected under the Equality Act.

Punungwe-Mutandiro, who had worked as a workplace wellbeing client services officer, told DNS she wanted to speak out because Mind “presents itself as a champion of mental health and equity”.

She said: “I’ve experienced prolonged isolation, retaliatory silence, and a deterioration in my mental and physical health as a direct result of Mind’s actions.

“As a queer, Black, disabled woman, I feel entirely failed by an organisation that publicly claims to champion people like me.

“Internally, they perpetuate ableism, discrimination, and a culture of avoidance when confronted with legal and ethical failings.”

She added: “This is no longer just about me. It’s about protecting others from facing the same systemic harm.

“They hoped I would disappear, as disabled people are often expected to do.”

A Mind spokesperson said: “We are aware of the allegations that have been made by a former employee and their intention to bring the matter before an employment tribunal.

“Mind takes all concerns raised by current and former employees extremely seriously.

“We are committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and fair working environment where everyone feels safe and supported.

“We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind.

“We will fully cooperate with any formal process, but as this matter may be subject to legal proceedings, it is not appropriate to comment further at this stage.”

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