Cardiac Arrest Ends Long-Standing Recruitment Career
Darron Blewitt, a senior recruitment director with over two decades in the industry, has been awarded nearly £188,000 in compensation after a tribunal ruled he was unfairly dismissed due to health issues stemming from a cardiac arrest.
On 7 February 2020, Blewitt suffered a cardiac arrest that led to a hypoxic brain injury. While he regained mobility and speech in the following weeks, he continued to suffer from memory loss, cognitive challenges, fatigue, and anxiety.
Return to Work Met with Silence
Blewitt returned to work at Leeds-based Mach Recruitment in October 2020, but found the workplace and its practices had changed significantly following the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite his health challenges, he was expected to resume his demanding role without support or accommodations.
The tribunal, held in Cambridge in June 2025, heard that he was left “to his own devices,” with no meaningful adjustments made to help him succeed in his role. Repeated efforts by occupational health professionals to engage the company were ignored, and HR support was minimal.
Dismissed Over a Teams Call
On 27 September 2022, Blewitt was contacted by the company’s Head of HR, Katie Barrett, who suggested his role was at risk due to a reduction in senior headcount. When Blewitt asked if this meant redundancy, the call was abruptly ended.
Two days later, on 29 September 2022, Barrett held a Microsoft Teams call with Blewitt during which he was told he was being dismissed with immediate effect, citing his ongoing health condition.
There was no formal redundancy consultation, no written dismissal notice, and no documentation of performance concerns.
Tribunal Delivers Damning Verdict
In a ruling issued by Employment Judge Roger Tynan in June 2025, the tribunal found that Mach Recruitment had dismissed Blewitt not because of business pressures, but because his health condition was viewed as “time-consuming and difficult to manage.”
The company had failed to make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010, ignored occupational health advice, failed to document internal processes, and showed no evidence of a fair or lawful dismissal process.
The company also failed to comply with tribunal orders and did not attend either the merits hearing or the remedy hearing, leading to its defence being struck out.
Blewitt was awarded £187,585 for unfair dismissal and disability discrimination.
Legal Expert: A Stark Warning to Employers
Liz Stevens, employment lawyer at Birketts LLP, described the case as a “stark warning” to employers:
“Mach Recruitment failed to follow even the most basic procedural steps and ignored its legal obligations. This case shows the serious consequences of neglecting employee rights under equality law.”
As of July 2025, Blewitt remains unemployed and receiving benefits. He reported a further decline in his health following the dismissal.
Mach Recruitment has not publicly commented on the tribunal’s decision.
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