My Client’s Story
I had a virtual meeting with my client where we discussed the difficulties he had experienced with his employer. His employer was a small business who had essentially ignored their health and safety and employment law obligations. My client had raised a number of concerns over the course of his employment, but matters came to a head when he was asked to put himself into harm’s way.
Despite the employer being aware that my client’s partner was shielding and vulnerable in respect of coronavirus, he was asked to attend premises where there were confirmed cases of COVID-19 without protective equipment or effective means of sanitisation. When my client refused, his shifts (and therefore pay) were significantly reduced. Later, he was told not to come in at all. This was, effectively, a dismissal.
My client’s employer had really ignored their obligations to him and other staff. There were so many issues that our first meeting was almost like an Employment Law exam as we identified the following claims:-
- Failure to provide a contract of employment;
- Failure to pay minimum wage;
- Failure to provide payslips;
- Failure to provide paid annual leave;
- Detriments suffered for raising health and safety concerns;
- Detriments suffered for raising minimum wage concerns;
- Detriments suffered for whistleblowing;
- Automatic unfair dismissal (health and safety and/or whistleblowing); and,
- Ordinary unfair dismissal.
I prepared a Formal Grievance for my client and initiated ACAS Early Conciliation on his behalf. He was fully prepared to pursue his claims at the Employment Tribunal. However, this was not necessary as we were able to secure a settlement for my client without having to begin Employment Tribunal litigation. My client was pleased with the result and I was delighted to have helped. He very kindly gave the review below:-
What were the circumstances that caused you to look for a legal adviser?
How did Sally Hubbard help you?
She helped me reach an agreement and settlement through ACAS
What could they have done better?
Tags: Automatic Unfair Dismissal Detriments suffered for raising health and safety concerns Detriments suffered for raising minimum wage concerns Detriments suffered for whistleblowing employment law solicitor employment lawyer employment solicitor Failure to pay minimum wage Failure to provide a contract of employment Failure to provide paid annual leave Failure to provide payslips free employment lawyer Health and Safety Ordinary unfair dismissal. sally hubbard sally hubbard client review sally hubbard review sally hubbard solicitor unfair dismissal Whistleblowing
