A former vice-president of engineering at the software firm
While the figure has drawn significant attention, it is important to note that the tribunal has not awarded this amount to Burns. Instead, the ruling confirms that she is legally permitted to seek this sum as part of her schedule of loss. The final compensation, if any, will be determined at a future hearing, as the case remains ongoing alongside an appeal concerning the initial tribunal decision.
Tribunal Ruling and Background
The Birmingham Employment Tribunal ruled in 2025 that Gitpod had engaged in discrimination arising from disability and failed to implement reasonable adjustments for Burns, who had disclosed that she has ADHD and dyslexia. The tribunal examined whether the company had adequately addressed her requests for support, including her inquiries regarding ADHD coaching after she reported feeling overwhelmed in her role.
The legal dispute stems from events surrounding Burns’s employment, which began in late 2022. Her compensation package at the time included a £220,000 annual salary and a bonus of approximately £78,000. Tensions regarding her performance and conduct escalated following a team-building trip to Lofer, Austria, in April 2023. During this trip, Burns was unable to access her accommodation after misplacing her key and eventually spent the night in a sauna. She was dismissed from her position in June 2023, two months after the incident.
The Scale of the Compensation Claim
The substantial sum sought by Burns is primarily based on projected future earnings. Her legal argument contends that her dismissal caused significant disruption to a high-earning career in the technology sector, where she had previously held roles at companies such as Slack and Lyft. Burns has since transitioned away from the technology industry and is currently retraining as a therapist.
Gitpod had previously attempted to limit the potential compensation to £1 million, but the tribunal rejected this application. The judge determined that given Burns’s history of high earnings, it was premature to conclude that the valuation lacked a reasonable prospect of success without further evidence. Furthermore, the tribunal has ordered the disclosure of information regarding Gitpod’s recent acquisition by OpenAI, as Burns holds shares in the company. Should the full amount be awarded, it would significantly exceed the current known record for an employment tribunal payout in the UK, which stands at approximately £4.58 million.
