By Islam El-Sakka
A senior NHS pharmacy worker has won a victimisation case at Manchester Employment Tribunal after colleagues subjected him to a humiliating prank involving a fake "Invisible Employee" award ceremony.
Prank staged as formal presentation
In January 2024, Amit Verma, a Band 3 Senior Pharmacy Assistant at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust since 2008, was summoned to a satellite room by a colleague. There, Bushrah Ashraf presented him with a certificate labelling him "Invisible Employee", signed "Casper the Friendly CEO". Colleagues watched and applauded as Verma was made to pose for photographs holding the certificate.
Worker says prank attacked his work ethic
Verma, who is of Indian ethnicity and Hindu, said the stunt ridiculed him and suggested he was conspicuously absent, evasive, or workshy. He filed a formal complaint alleging discrimination, harassment, bullying, and victimisation, stating the incident significantly affected his mental health.
Investigation took eight times longer than guidelines
The subsequent investigation, led by Andrew Ablott and continued by Samantha Ekin, lasted 95 days — eight times the NHS's own 12-day guideline. Employment Judge Gary Tobin ruled the investigation failed to grapple with Verma's core complaints of race and religion discrimination, and that the delay was excessive and materially contributed to his distress.
Tribunal finds humiliation was intended
Judge Tobin concluded the award was not intended as a joke and that Verma's participation was not willing consent. The judge found the planning, surprise, public ridicule, photography, and circulation of the image demonstrated that humiliation was foreseeable and intended. The investigation's failure to address the discrimination allegations was deemed a deliberate avoidance, not incompetence.
Compensation to be determined
Compensation will be assessed at a later date. Verma has worked at the trust since 2008 within the ward-based pharmacy service.
