Apprentice gas fitter awarded £5,613 after employer failed to pay wages or provide written particulars
An 18-year-old apprentice gas fitter has been awarded £5,613 after his employer failed to pay his contractual wages, dismissed him without notice, and never provided written terms or pay statements.
1 min read · Last updated 18 May 2026
Case details
- #apprentice
- #unlawful-deduction
- #breach-of-contract
- #written-particulars
- #pay-statements
- #summary-dismissal
- #no-response
Key facts
- The claimant was employed as an apprentice gas fitter from 2 August 2021 to 4 October 2022.
- No written statement of terms or itemised pay statements were ever provided.
- The claimant was paid irregularly and less than his contractual entitlement, resulting in unpaid wages of £4,247.
- The respondent summarily dismissed the claimant on 4 October 2022 without notice or proper procedure.
- The respondent failed to attend the hearing or provide any response to the claims.
Timeline
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Employment commenced
The claimant began his apprenticeship with DW Gas Services Ltd under a verbal agreement at £5 per hour for 40 hours per week.
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Apprenticeship agreement signed
The claimant, respondent, and course provider signed an apprenticeship agreement, but no written statement of particulars was provided.
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Alleged verbal warning
The respondent claimed to have given a verbal warning for calling in sick, but the tribunal found no formal warning was given.
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Alleged written warning
The respondent claimed to have given a written warning for returning to work without notice, but the tribunal found no such warning existed.
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Alleged final written warning
The respondent claimed to have given a final written warning for working for another builder during annual leave, but the tribunal found no warning was given; instead a foul-mouthed WhatsApp message was sent.
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Summary dismissal
The respondent verbally and summarily dismissed the claimant without notice or proper procedure.
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First claim presented
The claimant presented a claim form naming David White as respondent.
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Second claim presented
The claimant, now represented, presented a second claim naming DW Gas Services Ltd as respondent.
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Final hearing
The tribunal heard the case in the respondent's absence and issued judgment in favour of the claimant.
The legal issue
The tribunal had to decide whether the employer made unlawful deductions from wages, breached the contract by failing to give notice, and failed to provide a written statement of terms and itemised pay statements.
The outcome
The tribunal ruled in favour of the apprentice gas fitter on all claims.
Key reasons:
- The employer paid irregularly and less than the agreed £5 per hour for 40 hours per week, resulting in £4,247 in unpaid wages.
- The employer summarily dismissed the claimant on 4 October 2022 without notice or any proper procedure.
- No written statement of terms or itemised pay statements were ever provided during the 14-month employment.
Compensation:
- Unpaid wages: £4,247.00
- Notice pay (1 week): £273.20
- Failure to provide written particulars (4 weeks' pay): £1,092.80
- Total: £5,613.00
Lessons & takeaways
- Employers must provide a written statement of terms within two months of employment starting, or risk a penalty of up to four weeks' pay.
- Apprentices and young workers are entitled to the same wage protections as other employees; irregular or below-agreed pay can be challenged as unlawful deductions.
- Summary dismissal without notice or procedure is a breach of contract and can lead to a claim for notice pay.
- If an employer fails to respond to tribunal claims or attend hearings, the tribunal can proceed in their absence and may make a judgment based on the claimant's evidence.
A case of broken promises
This case highlights what can happen when an employer ignores its basic legal obligations. The apprentice, just 18 years old, worked for DW Gas Services Limited for 14 months under a verbal agreement that he would be paid £5 per hour for 40 hours a week. But from the start, the employer paid irregularly and often less than the agreed amount. By the time he was dismissed, the apprentice was owed over £4,000 in unpaid wages.
What the employer did wrong
The employer's failures went beyond non-payment. The apprentice never received a written statement of his terms and conditions, nor any itemised pay statements – both legal requirements. When he raised issues, the employer responded with alleged warnings that the tribunal found never actually existed. The final straw was a summary dismissal in October 2022, delivered verbally with no notice, no procedure, and no chance to respond. The employer then failed to attend the tribunal hearing or even file a response.
Why this matters
For anyone in a similar position, this case shows that tribunals take basic employment rights seriously. Even without a written contract, the apprentice was able to prove his agreed pay and hours. The award of £5,613 includes not only the unpaid wages but also compensation for the missing written particulars and notice pay. The tribunal also ordered the employer to provide details of all deductions made during employment, with potential further sanctions if they fail to comply.
This case serves as a reminder that employers cannot ignore their obligations to young workers or apprentices. The tribunal's willingness to proceed in the employer's absence and award substantial compensation sends a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated.
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