Oxford Student Loses Age Discrimination Case Over Breaks at Princess Diana’s Family Estate
An Oxford student, Thomas James, who worked at Princess Diana’s family estate Althorp, claimed he wasn’t allowed to take breaks during his shifts and faced age discrimination. However, the employment tribunal dismissed his case, ruling that his claims lacked credibility.
Mr. James alleged that he was not permitted to have rest breaks or lunch during his nine-hour shifts at the 13,000-acre Althorp estate. He even claimed that Earl Spencer, Diana’s younger brother, once reprimanded him for taking a break at the estate near Northampton. Despite seeking damages for age discrimination and unfair dismissal, the tribunal found no evidence to support his claims.
The tribunal report revealed that Mr. James had suffered sunstroke in 2022, leading to a more structured approach to his breaks. While he initially enjoyed working at Althorp and even requested a permanent role, frictions arose in August 2023 over lunch breaks. Mr. James’s mother sent heated emails claiming her son had not been allowed to take breaks, prompting his resignation the following day.
Employment Judge Postle highlighted inconsistencies in Mr. James’s claims, noting that he had not raised concerns about breaks until shortly before his resignation. The tribunal concluded that there was no difference in treatment based on Mr. James’s age and that he had previously been able to arrange his shifts and breaks with his manager.
In the end, Mr. James lost his age discrimination and unfair dismissal claims against the 8th Earl Spencer Family Settlement, the family trust that oversees Althorp Estate. Despite his allegations, the tribunal found no evidence to support his claims of mistreatment based on his age.
The 13,000-acre Althorp Estate, where Princess Diana grew up and is now buried, remains a popular tourist attraction and the home of Earl Spencer and his family. The Grade I listed stately home has been in the Spencer family for over 500 years, attracting visitors from around the world to pay tribute to the late Princess of Wales.