Meet the professional victim who made £35,000 from more than 100 disability claims accused of 'making a career in tribunals'

A man who has made more than 100 complaints of disability discrimination has been accused of making a 'career' through employment tribunals.

Christian Mallon, 49, who has not had a full-time job since 2019, has applied for more than 4,600 jobs in locations from London to Aberdeen, with employers including Honda and the National Crime Agency.

He tells companies that his autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dyspraxia mean he has trouble filling out online forms, so he has to submit his application by phone – and requests interview questions in advance. If they refuse or delay this, he files a disability discrimination complaint, arguing that no “reasonable accommodations” were made for him – even though he had little hope of getting the job.

At times, Mr Mallon – who boasts a PhD in chemical engineering and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) qualification – has 20 claims on the go at a time. It appears he has received more than £35,000 in out-of-court settlements, despite winning just one case, which netted him £2,700.

Employers have accused him of being a “vexatious” serial litigator. Companies spend days preparing and attending hearings, costing them hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Mr Mallon (pictured), who lives in Cannock, Staffordshire, said he wanted to work 'but the problem is people aren't making reasonable adjustments' for his disability

Last night Mr Mallon, who shares a detached house with his wife and son in Cannock, Staffordshire, while renting out two flats in Scotland and a house in his native Northern Ireland, told the Daily Mail: 'I don't want any lawsuits, I wants to work – but the problem is that people don't make reasonable adjustments. The last job paid £50,000 a year, but now I don't get a chance. What else should I do?'

One of the 30 short-term jobs he actually landed was a £65,000-a-year job at engineering firm AECOM in Birmingham. He was dismissed after nine months due to 'unsatisfactory' performance, but applied for another position there in 2018. This led to his only successful business, out of more than a hundred.

Among the 4,600 jobs he applied for – in locations from London to Aberdeen – was one at the National Crime Agency (File Image)

Employers have accused Mr Mallon of being a “vexatious” serial litigator. Companies spend days preparing and attending hearings, costing them hundreds of thousands of pounds

He claimed he couldn't create his own password for the online application because he had difficulty including a “special character,” such as an exclamation mark.

The tribunal heard: 'For him this was a stressful and onerous demand.'

AECOM said there was no need to verbally help him apply because his wife could have helped him create a password, pointing out that the company had previously found his work unsatisfactory.

At times, Mr Mallon – who boasts a PhD in chemical engineering and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) qualification – has 20 claims on the go at a time

One of the 30 short-term jobs Mallon actually landed was a £65,000-a-year job at engineering firm AECOM in Birmingham. He was dismissed after nine months for 'unsatisfactory' performance

East London employment judge Gardiner ruled in 2022 that AECOM should have made him apply orally, and awarded him £2,000 for hurt feelings plus £700 interest.

In the remainder of the 57 employment law decisions available to Mr Mallon, his quests for compensation failed. The tribunals often deal with roles 'where he has no relevant experience'.

He was severely served over his claim against Electus Recruitment Solutions, which expired in November 2023, and was ordered to pay £18,000 towards the company's costs.

Employment judge Halliday told the Southampton tribunal that the 'purpose of [Mr Mallon] submitting 4,643 applications” was intended to create opportunities to reach settlements or pursue claims, adding: “This is now effectively his chosen career.”