Endometriosis: London woman wins tribunal after she was sacked.

Sanju Pal, once a celebrated management consultant with a glittering career at the prestigious City firm Accenture, has achieved a significant victory at an employment appeal tribunal, a landmark decision that could reshape how employers accommodate employees living with endometriosis. Her journey, marked by professional acclaim and personal struggle, culminated in a tribunal ruling that recognized the debilitating impact of endometriosis and addressed the discrimination she faced after being dismissed from her job. Pal’s story is a powerful testament to resilience and a crucial step forward in raising awareness and legal protections for individuals with this often-misunderstood condition.

Prior to her diagnosis, Sanju Pal was a picture of professional success. Her achievements were recognized with the Asian Woman of Achievement Award, and she had the distinction of meeting the late Queen Elizabeth and being invited to 10 Downing Street. Her role as a management consultant demanded high performance, a standard she consistently met for nearly a decade. However, her professional trajectory was irrevocably altered in 2018 when a health crisis forced her to take time off for surgery to remove two large cysts on her ovaries. This medical necessity, unfortunately, led to her missing a crucial performance target.

"Suddenly it was taken away from me, and I became nothing," Pal recounts, her voice tinged with the lingering pain of that experience. "I wasn’t a high performer anymore because I had a disability." The diagnosis of severe, deep endometriosis in 2017 revealed the extent of her condition: Stage 3 endometrioma, characterized by a 7.5cm (3in) cyst on her left ovary and a smaller one on her right. These required immediate surgical intervention and a subsequent recovery period.

Despite her efforts to return to work after just one month, Pal found herself struggling. "I was in touch with HR, I was telling them how I was in pain, how I was struggling," she explains. "I was bleeding, I could barely walk, because I’d been pushing myself too much, pushing myself through the fatigue wanting to make senior manager." Her commitment to her career, even in the face of immense physical discomfort, became a point of contention rather than a demonstration of her dedication.

At her six-month review, the stark reality of her situation hit home. After almost 10 years of exemplary performance, she was informed that she would not meet her target. "I was then terminated and told to leave the building. I wasn’t allowed to contact anyone," she recalls, the memory still vivid. "I wasn’t a high performer anymore, according to them, because I had a disability, because I was unwell and wasn’t going to be contributing to the business in the way that I had been before." The profound shame and isolation that followed were overwhelming. "I was so sad and shocked and anxious. I didn’t feel like I could tell anyone. I literally became a shell of myself."

Endometriosis is a chronic condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus. These endometrial-like cells can enlarge and change in response to hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle, leading to inflammation, pain, and the formation of scar tissue. While most commonly found in the pelvic region, on the ovaries, or the lining of the uterus, it can also affect other organs, including the bowel and bladder, and in rare cases, can extend beyond the pelvic area. Currently, there is no cure for endometriosis, and treatment options are primarily focused on pain management and, in some cases, surgical intervention.

Following her dismissal, Pal faced further setbacks. She lost an internal appeal, during which she disclosed more intimate details about her condition. However, the company upheld its original decision, denying her reinstatement. Compounding the distress of losing her job, she also lost her private medical insurance, a critical lifeline at a time when her health required ongoing management. Faced with these insurmountable challenges, Pal felt compelled to seek recourse through an employment tribunal.

In 2022, the tribunal initially ruled in her favour, acknowledging her mistreatment but declining to award compensation. Undeterred, Pal appealed this decision. In January 2026, the Employment Appeal Tribunal delivered a pivotal verdict, finding that the original tribunal had failed to adequately consider her status as a disabled person due to endometriosis and had overlooked the discrimination she experienced as a direct consequence of her condition. This ruling provides a significant precedent for individuals with endometriosis facing similar employment challenges.

Accenture, in response to the BBC’s inquiry, stated: "As this is an ongoing legal matter we cannot comment further at this time."

Seven years and two employment tribunals later, Sanju Pal has undergone a profound personal transformation. While her business career has necessarily taken a backseat as she navigated the arduous legal process, her dedication to her passions remains unwavering. She continues to actively volunteer with RISE, the charity she founded in her youth, which fosters connections between young people in rural India and London. Her commitment to this cause, born out of a desire to empower and connect, continues to drive her. She also maintains her involvement with the West London Sinfonia, playing the violin, and hosts a podcast, demonstrating her multifaceted interests and enduring spirit.

Pal’s fight for recognition of her endometriosis as a disability has not only been a personal crusade but has also become a source of solace and purpose. "My heart goes out to anyone going through the employment tribunal system because it’s not easy," she admits. However, by sharing her story and advocating for change, she has found a community and a mission. She harbours a strong hope that her case will establish a precedent, leading to endometriosis being formally recognized as a disability under the Equality Act 2010. Her resolve to continue campaigning for legislative reform and to amplify the voices of women affected by endometriosis is resolute. "The number of messages I receive from women saying ‘I couldn’t talk about this, I felt afraid to, but you’re doing it’," she reflects, underscoring the profound impact her courage has on others. Her victory is a beacon of hope for many, signifying a potential shift in workplace attitudes and legal protections for those living with chronic, invisible illnesses.