Former employee awarded £35,338 for unauthorised deductions and breach of contract
A former employee won £35,338.70 after Go Learn Education Limited made unauthorised wage deductions, failed to pay notice pay, and withheld holiday pay on termination.
1 min read · Last updated 18 May 2026
Case details
- #unauthorised-deduction-from-wages
- #breach-of-contract
- #holiday-pay
- #notice-pay
- #unfair-dismissal-withdrawn
Key facts
- The respondent made an unauthorised deduction from the claimant's wages.
- The claimant was dismissed in breach of contract in respect of notice.
- The respondent failed to pay the claimant's holiday entitlement for untaken holiday on termination.
- The total sum payable by the respondent to the claimant is £35338.70.
- The claim for unfair dismissal was dismissed upon withdrawal.
Timeline
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Hearing and judgment
Employment Judge Ganner held a hearing via CVP and issued judgment ordering the respondent to pay £35338.70 for unauthorised deductions, breach of contract, and holiday pay.
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Judgment sent to parties
The written judgment was sent to the parties.
The legal issue
The tribunal had to decide whether the employer made unauthorised deductions from wages, dismissed the employee in breach of contract regarding notice, and failed to pay holiday pay on termination.
The outcome
The tribunal found in favour of the former employee on all three claims: unauthorised deductions, breach of contract for notice pay, and unpaid holiday entitlement. The claim for unfair dismissal was withdrawn.
Compensation breakdown:
- Unauthorised deductions: £29,242.00 (gross)
- Notice pay (breach of contract): £3,500.00 (net, but calculated using gross pay)
- Holiday pay: £2,596.70 (gross)
- Total: £35,338.70
Lessons & takeaways
- Employers must ensure any deductions from wages are authorised by law or contract, or have the employee's written consent.
- Failing to pay contractual notice pay is a breach of contract that can lead to a separate claim for damages.
- Employees are entitled to be paid for untaken holiday on termination, and employers cannot withhold this without a valid reason.
- Even if an unfair dismissal claim is withdrawn, other claims like unauthorised deductions and breach of contract can still succeed.
This case shows how multiple employment rights claims can arise from a single termination. The former employee successfully brought claims for unauthorised deductions from wages, breach of contract for notice pay, and unpaid holiday entitlement—all of which were upheld by the tribunal.
What the employer did wrong
Go Learn Education Limited made an unauthorised deduction from the employee's wages, failed to pay the correct notice pay on dismissal, and did not pay for untaken holiday. These are basic obligations under employment law. The employer did not participate in the hearing, which meant the tribunal decided based on the employee's evidence.
What this means for similar claims
Employees who believe their employer has made unlawful deductions or failed to pay what is owed on termination can bring claims to an employment tribunal. The key is to act promptly—claims for unauthorised deductions and breach of contract must usually be brought within three months of the deduction or dismissal. This case also highlights that even if an unfair dismissal claim is withdrawn, other claims can still succeed.
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