Unfair dismissal and unlawful holiday pay deductions: former employee awarded over £9,300
A former employee of Craven Inns Limited has won claims for unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal, and unlawful deduction from wages, receiving a total of £9,313.83 plus costs.
1 min read · Last updated 18 May 2026
Case details
Key facts
- The claimant was employed by the respondent.
- The claimant was dismissed by the respondent.
- The tribunal found the dismissal was unfair.
- The tribunal found the dismissal was wrongful.
- The respondent made unlawful deductions from the claimant's wages for holiday pay.
Timeline
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Hearing
The substantive hearing took place at Manchester Employment Tribunal.
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Judgment issued
Employment Judge Rice-Birchall issued the judgment finding unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal, and unlawful deductions.
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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 employee was unfairly dismissed, wrongfully dismissed, and whether the employer made unlawful deductions from wages.
The outcome
The tribunal ruled in favour of the former employee on all three claims.
- Unfair dismissal: Basic award of £3,632.12 and compensatory award of £500.
- Wrongful dismissal: £3,105 (net) for notice pay.
- Unlawful deduction from wages: £2,076.71 (gross, subject to deductions) for unpaid holiday pay.
- Costs: The employer was ordered to pay £1,500 in costs.
Lessons & takeaways
- Employers must ensure dismissals are procedurally and substantively fair, or risk compensation for unfair dismissal.
- Wrongful dismissal claims can succeed if the employer fails to give proper notice or pay in lieu.
- Holiday pay is a legal entitlement; unlawful deductions can lead to separate claims and additional awards.
- Costs can be awarded against a party that unreasonably conducts proceedings.
What this case shows
This case demonstrates that employment tribunals will scrutinise the fairness of a dismissal and the employer's compliance with wage obligations. The former employee succeeded on all three claims: unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal, and unlawful deduction from wages. The total award of over £9,300, plus costs, reflects the range of protections available to workers.
What the employer could have done differently
Craven Inns Limited could have avoided liability by ensuring the dismissal was procedurally fair, providing proper notice or pay in lieu, and paying all holiday pay owed. The costs award suggests the employer's conduct in the proceedings may have been unreasonable.
Why this matters
This case is a reminder that employers must follow fair procedures and meet basic wage obligations. For employees, it shows that multiple claims can be brought together, and that tribunals can award compensation for each successful claim, plus costs in appropriate cases.
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