Husband contract terminated while in hospital

[Nameeechanged]

I was hoping to pick peoples brains about if there’s anything we can do regarding this.

DH took on a new role in middle of sept, he agreed at interview that he had 2 weeks annual leave planned for October half term as we had a holiday booked. On holiday he collapsed, and on returning to England was admitted to hospital for a week and finally diagnosed with microvascular angina disease. He had 1 week self cert sick leave to cover while he was in hospital, and a sick note for 2 weeks after this to give medication time to work.

DH got out of hospital on Friday, and on the Mondsy following his manager requested a chat, which they had on the weds, and he was told the client had an issue with the distance DH was travelling to site and his position was going to be terminated. We have not moved since taking on the position, and all senior managers travel aprox 2-3 hours to the sites as they are a niche position so finding someone local isn’t likely. The only thing that has changed was DH diagnosis.

They initially said there was another position on a site closer to us he could have (still 2 hours away), but then made him interview for it, and then told him yesterday that the company were moving in another direction and not hiring for the role after all.

i know as he has under 2 years service that options are limited, I just wondered if there was anything under the disability protected characteristics side of things? DH was meant to be having no stress, and this has been such a horrendous experience.

Sorry, I pressed send too soon - I meant to add, thank you in advance for any info anyone can offer. It’s appreciated. Losing his job a month before Xmas and a week after getting out of hospital is horrendous timing.

Call Acas, they will be able to tell you.

This happened to Dp too. He got pancreatitis and was in hospital for a week and when he came out they terminated his contract. I know it was because they thought he may have more time off and it was less than 2 years so they took their chance. There was nothing we could do.

if they have been careful not to mention his illness and have terminated his contract following the notice provisions etc. then there is really not much you can do.

I have no idea, but how awful. I'm so sorry. This is clearly discrimination due to his health. I hope he's feeling better and you get somewhere with this.

Acas should be your first source of advice.

Thanks all, DH spoke to Acas but got someone who told him as under 2 years service there was nothing to be done. He was on the phone genuinely less than 2 mins with them - I didn’t feel he explained the situation very well as he’s embarrassed and was a bit gruff. I might try to get him to call them back, it was more if anyone on here had any insight before I put him through that again!

Depending on his condition this might well qualify as a disability and then there is no service requirement for unfair dismissal protection. I would consider opening a claim on this basis

It’s not one of the protected characteristics, and it’s not a disability. He’s been there less than 2 years, so there’s nothing he can do about it. I’m sorry he’s been unwell, but I can understand why ACAS were less than two minutes on the phone to him

Ah thank you for this, it was whether it was a protected characteristic that I was wondering. I appreciate your reply (and everyone else’s too!)