Unfair Dismissal

Associate (non-UK national on skilled worker visa) v FINTRU LIMITED

A tribunal has ruled that Fintru Limited fairly dismissed an associate whose skilled worker visa could not be renewed after the Home Office raised salary thresholds. The employer explored alternatives and followed a reasonable process.

NHS employee (Agenda for Change Band 6) v East Sussex Healthcare Trust

An NHS employee resigned after waiting nearly eight months for her grievance outcome. The tribunal found she was constructively unfairly dismissed and awarded £3,756.60.

Night team member at a hotel v Whitbread Group PLC

A tribunal struck out a constructive unfair dismissal claim from a night team member who waited 2.5 months after the last alleged breach before resigning, finding he had affirmed the contract.

Bank employee v Lloyds Bank Plc

A bank employee's unfair dismissal claim was dismissed as out of time, even though the tribunal accepted her severe mental health made it not reasonably practicable to claim within the first three months.

Agency worker supplied to NHS Trust v Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

An agency worker who withdrew her employment tribunal claims and then tried to revoke the withdrawal has had her case dismissed. The tribunal ruled the withdrawal was valid and could not be undone.

Qualified social worker (over 20 years' experience) v Devon County Council

An experienced social worker's race discrimination and constructive dismissal claims against Devon County Council were dismissed because she presented her claim too late, and the tribunal refused to extend time.

Former employee v Department for Work and Pensions

A former employee who failed to attend his own unfair dismissal hearing and ignored tribunal orders has been ordered to pay the Department for Work and Pensions nearly £10,000 in costs.

Former employee v Landmark Space Ltd

A former employee who withdrew her unfair dismissal claim against Landmark Space Ltd could not revive it, even after applying for reconsideration. The tribunal confirmed it has no power to set aside a withdrawal.

Former employee v Prestige Dental Services Limited

A tribunal has set aside its own earlier judgments after admitting it should have telephoned the respondent before proceeding in their absence. The case will now be reheard.

Café worker (6 months' service) v Samantha Dalton

A café worker with only six months' service was automatically unfairly dismissed after asking for a written contract. The tribunal awarded over £2,000 including injury to feelings for age discrimination.

Agency worker v Syft Online Limited

An agency worker who worked for less than two years had his unfair dismissal, unpaid wages, and breach of contract claims dismissed by the tribunal, along with human exploitation allegations which the tribunal had no power to hear.

Community Development Manager (2 years' service) v Spelthorne Borough Council

A Community Development Manager who claimed she was dismissed for whistleblowing lost her case. The tribunal found the council's decision was due to an irretrievable breakdown in working relationships, not her protected disclosures.

Junior doctor (specialist registrar in Emergency Medicine) v Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust

A junior doctor's attempt to obtain a wasted costs order against the solicitors for an NHS Trust was dismissed because a 2018 settlement agreement precluded the application and there was no improper conduct.

Former employee (2 years' service) v Nathan Gittings

A former employee with two years' service was unfairly dismissed after being suspended and then sacked without any disciplinary hearing. The Cambridge tribunal awarded £9,546.81 in compensation.

Taxi driver (private hire vehicle) v Mr R Tidman

A private hire taxi driver was found to be an employee of the vehicle owner and a worker of the dispatch company. He was awarded £5,181.48 for unlawful deduction of wages, but his age discrimination claim was dismissed.

Payments consultant (via limited company) v Paymentsense Limited

A tribunal has granted a payments consultant permission to amend his claim to include wrongful dismissal and National Minimum Wage complaints, but refused to add automatic unfair dismissal. The case highlights the hurdles of bringing claims when working through a limited company.

Senior graphic designer (5 years' service) v Independent marketing agency (12 employees)

A graphic designer was told her role was redundant in a five-minute meeting with no warning, no consultation and no consideration of alternatives. The tribunal awarded £14,200.

Chartered accountant (former employee) v Bennbridge Services LLP

A former chartered accountant who made multiple applications to amend her whistleblowing and sex discrimination claims avoided a costs order, even though most amendments were refused. The tribunal said her conduct was not unreasonable or vexatious.

Handyman (former employee) v HMS Maintenance Solutions Limited

A handyman with ADHD resigned claiming constructive dismissal after alleged bullying and failure to make adjustments. The tribunal found no fundamental breach of trust and confidence, and the claim failed.

Special educational needs and disability learning support assistant (10 months' service) v The Governing Body of Horndean Junior School

A tribunal dismissed all claims of race and religion discrimination brought by a learning support assistant against Horndean Junior School, finding her evidence unreliable and the school's grievance process thorough.