A Ministry of Defence worker at NATO headquarters sued for harassment after he wasn’t given a ‘good luck’ card when leaving his job. 

James Eyles was ‘upset’ not to have his time on the base formally marked, an employment tribunal heard.

The accommodation stores manager claimed he had been targeted because of his disabilities – which included PTSD, depression, anxiety and paranoia.

The panel, however, rejected his argument, stating that receiving a card from colleagues was optional and he wasn’t the only team member whose farewell went unacknowledged.

During the hearing in Cambridge, it was revealed that Mr. Eyles started his role with the MoD in March 2020, overseeing accommodation stores at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Mons, Belgium.

During this role, he was primarily responsible for providing furniture and soft furnishings to British MoD and NATO families and staff.

Mr. Eyles also supervised a team in Sennelager, Germany, until they were reassigned to a different manager in another department in May 2021.

This was part of a wider restructure, the hearing was told.

James Eyles commenced his work for the MoD in March 2020, handling accommodation stores at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (depicted) in Mons, Belgium.

Mr. Eyles informed the tribunal that this reassignment was effectively a ‘demotion’, and following this change, he was limited to performing basic tasks, which he believed were influenced by awareness of his disabilities.

He claimed that in October 2021 his boss ‘belittled and scolded’ him, telling him that he was ‘incompetent’ following a mix up over some furniture.

In December, the MoD became aware of his PTSD, depression, anxiety, and paranoia, the tribunal found. 

In September 2022 he was told that his request for his tour to be extended by two years would not be granted.

He was told in an email that the reason for this was due to a ‘review’ of the department’s structure which resulted in posts not being extended.

In November 2022, he was not selected for a housing manager position, and by March 2023, an offer for the role as manager of the repair department at Sennelager was rescinded.

When his tour ended in July 2023, Mr Eyles was not given a ‘good luck’ card or presentation which he claimed amounted to disability harassment.

‘[The MoD] accepts that when [he] left on 16 July 2023 he was not presented with a Good Luck card or presentation,’ Employment Judge Kate Hutchings said.

The Ministry of Defence worker sued for harassment after he wasn’t given a ‘good luck’ card when leaving his job (Stock photo) 

‘[He] did not challenge the [MoD’s] evidence that not everyone had a presentation or received a good luck card when they left.

‘Indeed, [another colleague] told us she did not get a presentation or card when she left her post in July 2024.

‘Subjectively this was unwanted conduct as [he] was upset that his departure was not formally recognised.

‘There is no evidence the reason he did not receive a card or presentation was due to his disabilities. His line managers were off sick at this time so could not organise.

‘In any event, it was discretionary for colleagues to arrange this. For these reasons, we conclude that this complaint of harassment related to disability fails.’

Overall, the tribunal concluded that none of Mr Eyles’ claims were well-founded and many of them did not happen at all.

He still works for the MoD.