Woman Wins Groundbreaking Employment Case After Being Sacked for Endometriosis
London, 7 February 2026
Sanju Pal’s victory against consulting giant Accenture could revolutionise workplace rights for millions of women globally suffering from endometriosis.
A Decade-Long Battle Reaches Its Conclusion
In January 2026, the Employment Appeal Tribunal delivered a landmark ruling that overturned an earlier decision, finding that Sanju Pal had indeed been subjected to disability discrimination due to her endometriosis [1][2]. The former Accenture management consultant, who had worked at the global consulting firm for nearly a decade, was dismissed in 2019 following a six-month performance review during which she was deemed not “promotion ready” under the company’s “up or elsewhere” progression model [3]. The dismissal came after Pal had taken time off for surgery in 2018 to remove ovarian cysts, including one measuring 7.5 centimetres in diameter, which subsequently caused her to miss her performance targets [1][2]. Despite her previous accolades, including winning the Asian Woman of Achievement Award and meeting Queen Elizabeth [2], Pal found herself escorted from the building and stripped of her private medical insurance after disclosing details of her condition during an unsuccessful internal appeal [1][2].
The Legal Journey and Its Implications
The path to victory was far from straightforward. In 2022, an employment tribunal initially ruled in Pal’s favour but crucially failed to award any compensation [1][2]. The case required a further appeal to the Employment Appeal Tribunal, where barrister Elaine Banton successfully argued on all three grounds of appeal in the case Pal v Accenture (UK) [2026] EAT 12 [3]. The higher tribunal found that the original employment tribunal had failed to properly consider Pal’s endometriosis as a disability under the Equality Act, representing a significant legal precedent for how the condition should be treated in employment law [1][2]. This ruling could fundamentally alter how employers across the UK and potentially internationally approach workplace accommodations and performance management for employees with endometriosis, a condition that affects approximately 10% of women of reproductive age globally [GPT].
Speaking Truth to Power
Pal’s case has already begun to resonate beyond the courtroom. On 5 February 2026, she appeared on BBC Radio London for a 20-minute segment discussing her campaign for endometriosis workplace rights, joined by her local MP Tulip Siddiq, who indicated she would be raising the judgment’s implications in Parliament [4]. The interview, which aired from 39:15 to 1:01:25 on that date’s programme, highlighted how the case has set a legal precedent for endometriosis to be considered as a disability [4]. Pal’s advocacy work extends beyond her personal case - she continues to receive messages from women who felt unable to speak about their condition until seeing her courage in doing so [1]. “The number of messages I receive from women saying ‘I couldn’t talk about this, I felt afraid to, but you’re doing it’” demonstrates the broader impact of her legal victory [1].
A Catalyst for Change
The ruling arrives at a crucial time for workplace rights, with employment law experts noting that a tribunal has questioned the practice of dismissing employees with endometriosis for failing to achieve promotions [5]. Beyond her legal advocacy, Pal has channelled her experience into broader social impact through her charity RISE, which connects young people in rural India with those in London, whilst also participating in the West London Sinfonia as a violinist and hosting a podcast [1][2]. She has committed to continuing her campaign for legal reform and speaking out for women with endometriosis [1][2], potentially influencing workplace policies not only in the UK but in countries across East Africa and beyond, where similar discrimination may occur. As Pal reflected on her experience: “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” [1][2]. Accenture declined to comment on the ongoing legal matter [1].