Dismissed by father after family breakdown: WhatsApp message found to be unfair dismissal
A father who told his daughter 'I don't have a job for you, in fact I hope I never see u again' in a WhatsApp message was found to have unfairly dismissed her. The tribunal awarded £13,977.58.
1 min read · Last updated 19 May 2026
Case details
- #family-business
- #verbal-abuse
- #constructive-dismissal-claim
- #some-other-substantial-reason
- #holiday-pay
- #mitigation-of-loss
Key facts
- The claimant was employed by her father's business as a general administrative and sales assistant from 1 September 2019.
- On 7 August 2022, the respondent sent a WhatsApp message stating 'I don’t have a job for you, in fact I hope I never see u again.'
- The tribunal found that message amounted to an immediate dismissal.
- The respondent's principal reason for dismissal was the claimant's involvement in taking her mother to the police after a domestic incident.
- The claimant was awarded £13,977.58 in total, comprising basic award, compensatory award, and holiday pay.
Timeline
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Employment start date
The claimant began working for the respondent as a general administrative and sales assistant.
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Claimant's witness statement for father's PI claim
The claimant described her father's aggressive behaviour and long commute in a witness statement for his personal injury claim.
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Domestic incident
Mrs Kittelsen was knocked to the ground; the claimant took her to the police, leading to Mr Kittelsen's arrest.
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Dismissal message
Mr Kittelsen sent a WhatsApp message saying 'I don’t have a job for you, in fact I hope I never see u again.'
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Final day at work
The claimant attended work, received a verbal warning for lateness, and was unable to perform her duties. She later told her mother she was not returning.
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Phone call with father
Mr Kittelsen swore at the claimant during an accidental phone call.
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New job start
The claimant started a role as a learning support assistant at Oakbank School.
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Liability judgment
Employment Judge Perry found the claimant was unfairly dismissed and entitled to holiday pay.
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Remedy hearing
Employment Judge Siddall awarded the claimant £13,977.58 in total.
The legal issue
The tribunal had to decide whether the claimant was dismissed or resigned, and if dismissed, whether the dismissal was unfair. It also had to determine the amount of unpaid holiday pay.
The outcome
The tribunal found that the claimant was unfairly dismissed. The WhatsApp message sent by her father on 7 August 2022 was an express dismissal, and the reason for it – her involvement in taking her mother to the police after a domestic incident – was not a potentially fair reason. The tribunal also upheld her claim for unpaid holiday pay.
Compensation breakdown:
- Basic award: £1,581.00
- Compensatory award: £9,890.48
- Holiday pay: £2,506.10
- Total: £13,977.58
Lessons & takeaways
- A WhatsApp message can amount to an express dismissal – employers should avoid sending impulsive messages that terminate employment.
- Family relationships do not exempt a business from following fair dismissal procedures; personal disputes are not a fair reason for dismissal.
- Employees with less than two years' service generally cannot claim unfair dismissal, but this claimant had over three years' service, so she was protected.
- Unpaid holiday pay can be claimed separately and is not subject to the same service requirement as unfair dismissal.
This case shows how a family dispute can spill over into the workplace with serious legal consequences. The claimant, a general administrative and sales assistant, worked for her father's classic car business. After she helped her mother report a domestic incident to the police, her father sent a WhatsApp message saying he had no job for her and hoped never to see her again. The tribunal found this was an immediate dismissal.
What could have been done differently
The respondent could have taken time to cool down and consider the situation properly. Even in a family business, dismissing an employee via text message without any warning or investigation is almost certain to be unfair. A fair process would have involved a meeting, an opportunity for the employee to respond, and a considered decision. The tribunal noted that the reason for dismissal – the claimant's involvement in a domestic incident – was not a potentially fair reason under employment law.
Why this result matters
This case is a reminder that employment rights apply equally in family-run businesses. The claimant had over three years' service, which gave her the right to claim unfair dismissal. The tribunal awarded £13,977.58, including compensation for loss of earnings and unpaid holiday pay. For anyone considering a similar claim, it shows that even a brief, angry message can constitute a dismissal, and that tribunals will look at the substance of what happened, not just the form.
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