Agency workers are set to have better anti-discrimination rights after an Employment Tribunal awarded an agency worker who went sick a £35,892.08 payout for disability discrimination and unfair dismissal. The tribunal case, funded by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, heard that agency worker Corinda Pegg had been dismissed after 44 weeks service with Camden Council due to absences caused by depression. After a series of bereavements she was absent from work for a week receiving mental health residential care. On her return to work she was sometimes late and, when questioned by her manager, explained that this was due to her disability. The case went to an Employment Appeal Tribunal on the legal question of whether equality law protects agency workers from being discriminated against by the organisation to which they are supplied. The judge said that, as Ms Pegg was under an obligation to work for Camden Council, it was subject to a legal duty not to discriminate. The compensation was awarded when the case returned for a full Employment Tribunal hearing. EHRC’s Wendy Hewitt said: ‘This case clarifies that agency workers are entitled to the same degree of protection from discrimination at their place of work as permanent employees.’