A factory worker employed at Solway Foods, a chilled and frozen-food company based in Rogerstone, Wales, sought legal redress after being required to work in cold conditions despite her medical condition. Gabriela Bolohan, who suffers from Raynaud’s disease—a circulatory disorder aggravated by low temperatures—had requested a transfer to a warmer working environment, warning her employer that continued exposure to the cold could cause her heart to stop, according to testimony heard at a tribunal in Cardiff.

Bolohan raised claims of sex discrimination and argued that her employer failed to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate her condition. However, the employment tribunal ultimately dismissed her case, finding against her on both counts.

Raynaud’s disease affects blood flow, particularly to extremities, and symptoms can be triggered or worsened by cold exposure. Despite these medical concerns, the tribunal ruled that Solway Foods was not obligated to alter Bolohan’s working conditions as requested.

The decision highlights the challenges faced by workers with health conditions in environments where temperature control is integral to operations. The tribunal’s judgment underscores the complex balance between workplace accommodations and the operational requirements of businesses in the food processing sector.