IT worker on sick leave for 15 years sues IBM for lack of a pay rise

Mr Clifford took the firm to court for disability discrimination in 2022, arguing his salary had not been reviewed since 2013. His claim was rejected at an employment tribunal in Reading, Berks, in March. The judge commented that he had received a "very substantial benefit" and "favourable treatment."

He has now lodged an appeal against the ruling.

Mr Clifford spoke publicly for the first time since the ruling, stating that he took legal action because he wanted to provide security for his family. "I am on chemotherapy and have been for many years and have been extremely unwell," he said. Then added, "Your salary affects your death in service [insurance], pension and everything else, it was more for my family. People may think, yes it's generous, but firstly those amounts are gross. ... I do pay National Insurance on those amounts. I have a son [who is] off to university. Your mortgage doesn't go down because you are sick."

Mr Clifford doubts that he will still be alive in the next 15 years, and said that he had spent more than £30,000 bringing the case against IBM. "My life is being curtailed," he said. "The chances of me living to 65 is highly unlikely."

"I had to use all my savings to bring this case and had to borrow money on a credit card… it's left me financially very vulnerable" he added. People will still think it's greedy but at the end of the day, yes it's unfortunate, but that was a benefit I got with the job."

IBM's lawyers have argued there is "no obligation" for the company to increase his disability salary. By return Mr Clifford insisted that legal action was a last resort and he had always considered himself a "company man".