Barrister Charles Price, of No5 Chambers, represented Shannon Burns in employment tribunal proceedings arising from her dismissal from Gitpod, in a case which has allowed her to pursue a claim for compensation in excess of £76 million.
Shannon Burns, a senior technology executive and former Vice President of Engineering at Gitpod, brought claims arising from the treatment she received during her employment and the circumstances surrounding her dismissal.
Ms Burns was employed by Gitpod on a salary of approximately £220,000, together with a substantial annual bonus. She had previously held senior positions in the technology sector, including roles with companies such as Slack and Lyft.
The case concerned, among other matters, issues arising from Ms Burns’ disability and the treatment of her following an off-site company event in Austria in April 2023. Ms Burns has ADHD and contended that matters arising from the trip, including an incident in which she was unable to access her accommodation and subsequently slept in a sauna, were subsequently relied upon in the circumstances leading to her dismissal.
In the earlier case, The Employment Tribunal found in Ms Burns’ favour in relation to her disability discrimination claims.
The case has now moved to the question of compensation. Ms Burns’ Schedule of Loss puts her claim at approximately £76.07 million, including substantial alleged future losses arising from the impact of the dismissal on her career in the technology sector.
The Respondents subsequently sought to limit the value of the claims by way of a deposit order. The Employment Tribunal rejected that application, allowing Ms Burns to continue pursuing her claim at the level advanced in her Schedule of Loss.
The Tribunal has also dealt with applications concerning costs and disclosure. In particular, Gitpod was ordered to provide information concerning the value of its acquisition by OpenAI, which is relevant to Ms Burns’ claims concerning her interests in the company.
The potential value of the compensation claim is unusual by employment tribunal standards. Ms Burns’ case involves complex issues concerning future loss, career progression, remuneration in the technology sector and the value of equity interests.
The claim remains to be determined at the compensation stage. The £76 million figure represents the compensation sought by Ms Burns and is not an award made by the Employment Tribunal.
Charles Price has approximately 25 years’ experience advising and representing claimants and respondents in employment tribunal proceedings, with particular experience in complex employment litigation involving discrimination, whistleblowing, unfair dismissal and high-value compensation claims.
Tech exec sacked after sleeping in sauna can pursue £76m payout – Telegraph
