Group of former employees win claims for unpaid wages and holiday pay
A Leeds tribunal ordered NV Projects Ltd to pay a group of former employees for unauthorised deductions from wages, holiday pay, and failure to provide written statements. One employee also won a breach of contract claim for notice pay.
1 min read · Last updated 18 May 2026
Case details
Key facts
- The claimants were employed by the Second Respondent, NV Projects Ltd.
- The claimants had less than two years' service, so their unfair dismissal and redundancy claims were dismissed.
- The Second Respondent made unauthorised deductions from wages for most claimants.
- The Second Respondent failed to provide written statements of terms and conditions.
- The Second Respondent dismissed Lewis Robinson in breach of contract.
- Arslan Hussain withdrew his age discrimination claim.
Timeline
-
Reference week for compensation calculation
Compensation for failure to provide written statement was calculated using weekly wages for the week commencing 21 February 2022.
-
First judgment and case management orders
Employment Judge Deeley issued a judgment on unauthorised deductions, breach of contract, and failure to provide written statement. Arslan Hussain withdrew his age discrimination claim. Case management orders were made for remaining claims.
-
Second judgment on holiday pay
Employment Judge Brain declared the Second Respondent made unauthorised deductions for accrued holiday pay and ordered payment. Claims of Alvin Thomas and Sharon Shivadas were dismissed.
The legal issue
The tribunal had to decide whether the employer made unlawful deductions from wages (including holiday pay), breached contract by dismissing without notice, and failed to provide written statements of employment terms.
The outcome
The tribunal ruled in favour of most claimants on unauthorised deductions, holiday pay, and failure to provide written statements. One employee (Lewis Robinson) also succeeded in a breach of contract claim for notice pay.
Compensation awarded included:
- Unauthorised deductions from wages: amounts ranged from £66.50 to £1,969.11 per claimant
- Holiday pay: amounts ranged from £7.16 to £1,767.00 per claimant
- Failure to provide written statement: 2 weeks' pay per claimant, ranging from £29.55 to £926.64
- Breach of contract: £454.41 gross for notice pay (Lewis Robinson only)
Unfair dismissal and redundancy claims were dismissed because all claimants had less than two years' service.
Lessons & takeaways
- Employees with less than two years' service cannot claim unfair dismissal or statutory redundancy, but can still bring claims for unpaid wages, holiday pay, and breach of contract.
- Employers must provide a written statement of terms within two months of starting work; failure to do so can result in compensation of two to four weeks' pay.
- Deducting pay without proper authorisation (e.g., for holiday pay) is unlawful and tribunals can order repayment.
- Dismissing an employee without giving contractual notice is a breach of contract, even if the employee has short service.
This case shows how a group of former employees were able to recover unpaid wages and holiday pay from their employer, even though they could not bring unfair dismissal claims due to short service. The tribunal found that NV Projects Ltd had made unauthorised deductions from wages and failed to provide written statements of terms and conditions, which are basic legal obligations for any employer.
What the employer did wrong
The company deducted money from wages without proper authorisation and did not pay accrued holiday pay when employees left. It also failed to provide written statements of employment terms, which is a legal requirement under the Employment Rights Act. One employee, Lewis Robinson, was dismissed without being given his contractual notice period, leading to a separate breach of contract award.
Why the result matters
This case is a reminder that employment rights are not limited to unfair dismissal. Even employees with less than two years' service can enforce their rights to be paid correctly, to receive holiday pay, and to have written terms. The tribunal ordered specific compensation for each claimant, demonstrating that these claims can be brought successfully even without legal representation.
Similar cases
Redundancy dismissal leads to £17,570 award for multiple employment rights breaches
A former employee of Duchy Farm Kennels Ltd was awarded £17,570.97 after being unfairly dismissed by redundancy, with the tribunal also finding unauthorised wage deductions, unpaid holiday pay, and failure to provide written particulars.
Dismissed after 12 weeks: redundancy, unpaid wages and holiday pay
A former employee was awarded over £10,700 after James Andrew Prams & Nurseries Ltd failed to pay redundancy, wages, notice pay and holiday pay following a redundancy dismissal.
Dismissed by redundancy without pay: employer's failure to respond leads to £45,000 award
Two former employees of Cheshiregate Property Services were awarded over £45,000 after the company failed to defend claims of redundancy pay, notice pay, and unpaid wages.
Unfair dismissal and redundancy: employer ordered to pay £1,278 for multiple breaches
A former employee has won her claim for unfair dismissal, redundancy pay, unauthorised holiday pay deductions and breach of contract. The tribunal ordered Teresa Purdie to pay a total of £1,278.84.