Dismissed by text message after asking for a half day: unfair dismissal award of £4,778

A sudden dismissal by text

This case shows how quickly a working relationship can break down when communication fails. The hairdresser, who had worked at Layla's Lengths Limited for over two years, asked to take a half day on 6 February 2023 – a request that was initially agreed. But on the day itself, the salon director delayed access, then denied it entirely, leading to a heated phone argument. Later that day, the employer dismissed the hairdresser by text message, confirmed by email.

What the employer did wrong

The employer did not attend the tribunal hearing and was not represented. The judge accepted the hairdresser's account. The dismissal was procedurally flawed in almost every way: no warning, no meeting, no chance to respond, and no appeal. For an employee with over two years' service – the minimum to bring an unfair dismissal claim – this fell far below the standard of a reasonable employer.

What this means for similar claims

This case is a reminder that employment rights apply regardless of the size of the business. Small employers sometimes think they can dismiss informally, but the law requires a fair process. The award of £4,778 included compensation for lost earnings while the hairdresser looked for work, plus an unpaid 'week in hand' – a common practice in some industries where a week's pay is held back and paid on leaving. The tribunal also noted that the hairdresser found new work in July 2023, which limited her losses.