Plumber with two months' service awarded £5,294 for unpaid wages and holiday pay
A plumber who worked for just two months was awarded £5,294 after his employer failed to pay his full wages and holiday pay. The employer did not attend the hearing or file a response.
1 min read · Last updated 18 May 2026
Case details
- #unpaid-wages
- #holiday-pay
- #short-service
- #no-response
- #withdrawn-unfair-dismissal
Key facts
- Claimant worked as a plumber from 11 May 2022 to 28 July 2022.
- Respondent failed to pay full wages for May, June, and July 2022.
- Claimant withdrew his unfair dismissal claim at the hearing.
- Respondent did not file a response or attend the hearing.
- Tribunal found unlawful deductions of £4615 and holiday pay of £679.90.
Timeline
-
Employment started
Claimant began working as a plumber for Melon Renovations Ltd at £13 per hour.
-
May wages paid late and short
Claimant received only 70 hours' pay instead of 127.5 hours worked, a shortfall of £747.50.
-
June wages paid on time but short
Claimant received only 70 hours' pay instead of 168 hours worked, a shortfall of £1274.
-
Claimant stopped working
Claimant left due to late and underpayments; no further contact with respondent.
-
Early conciliation started
Early conciliation with ACAS began.
-
Early conciliation ended
Early conciliation certificate issued.
-
Claim presented
Claimant presented ET1 claiming unfair dismissal and unpaid wages.
-
Claim served on respondent
Notice of claim sent to respondent's registered office.
-
Hearing and judgment
Hearing by video; claimant withdrew unfair dismissal claim; tribunal awarded £4615 unpaid wages and £679.90 holiday pay.
The legal issue
Whether the employer unlawfully deducted wages under the Employment Rights Act 1996 and whether the employee was entitled to holiday pay under the Working Time Regulations 1998.
The outcome
The tribunal ruled in favour of the claimant on both claims.
- The employer made unlawful deductions from wages totalling £4,615 gross for underpaid or unpaid work in May, June, and July 2022.
- The employer was ordered to pay £679.90 gross for accrued but untaken holiday leave.
- The claimant's unfair dismissal claim was withdrawn at the hearing due to insufficient service.
Lessons & takeaways
- Employers must pay employees the full wages for hours worked, even if the employee has only been employed for a short period.
- Failing to respond to a tribunal claim can lead to a default judgment against you, as the tribunal may accept the claimant's evidence unchallenged.
- Employees are entitled to accrued holiday pay when employment ends, regardless of how short the employment lasted.
- Keeping accurate records of hours worked (e.g., via an app) can help prove unpaid wages in tribunal.
A short but costly failure to pay
A plumber who worked for Melon Renovations Ltd for just over two months was left unpaid for much of his work. The company paid him for only 70 hours each month, despite him working far more. In July, he received no pay at all. After leaving, he took his case to an employment tribunal.
The employer did not file a response or attend the hearing. This meant the tribunal accepted the plumber's evidence, which was supported by detailed records from a work app. The judge described his evidence as 'clear and comprehensive'.
What the tribunal decided
The tribunal found that Melon Renovations Ltd had made unlawful deductions from wages, totalling £4,615. It also ordered the company to pay £679.90 for accrued holiday pay under the Working Time Regulations. The plumber had withdrawn his unfair dismissal claim at the hearing because he had not worked long enough to bring such a claim.
What this case shows
This case is a reminder that even short-service employees have rights to be paid properly. Employers who ignore tribunal proceedings risk having a judgment made against them on the claimant's evidence alone. For employees, keeping a record of hours worked – such as through an app or timesheet – can be crucial in proving what is owed.
Similar cases
Driver awarded £7,080 after employer fails to pay wages, holiday pay and allowances
A former driver for UK Cargo Logistics Services Limited has won a default judgment for £7,080.40 in unpaid wages, holiday pay, night allowances, meal allowances and expenses after the company failed to respond to the claim.
22 years' service, one week's notice: dismissal without a reason found unfair
A former employee with 22 years' service was unfairly dismissed after being given just one week's notice. The employer failed to attend the hearing or provide a reason, resulting in a £25,055 award.
Senior managers dismissed without investigation: unfair and wrongful dismissal
Five senior managers were summarily dismissed for gross misconduct without any investigation or appeal. The tribunal found the dismissals unfair and wrongful, and awarded unpaid wages, holiday pay, and notice pay.
Former employee awarded £4,924 for unpaid wages, holiday pay and notice pay
A Watford tribunal found Invicta Care and Training Ltd. unlawfully deducted wages and failed to pay holiday pay and notice pay, awarding the former employee £4,924.02.