I have been very happy to help my client during an emotional time and achieve a good outcome for her.
Background
My client came to see me after being abruptly dismissed following seven years exemplary service. She explained to me that she had recently moved house which was some distance away from the office. Therefore, prior to moving she agreed with her employer that she would continue to work for them but from her new home address. At the time, the employer agreed and acknowledged that her role was predominately ‘online’ and telephone based. It would be easy to accommodate home working.
My client moved house and continued working for a couple of months. She considered that the transition had gone incredibly smoothly and there continued to be no concerns with respect to her performance or conduct working from home.
However, one day she was asked to attend a meeting in the office. Again, no concerns had been raised and my client thought it was simply a catch up meeting to discuss where everyone was with their work. Sadly, it was not. On attending, she was met with two directors and simply told that the agreement was not working out and she was dismissed with immediate effect. Her employer did not wish to discuss ways to improve the situation and asked her to leave.
My advice
I advised my client that she had excellent claims for Unfair Dismissal and Wrongful Dismissal, affirming that her employers behaviour had been entirely unreasonable and that they had also failed to adhere to a fair procedure when dismissing her. I strongly advised her to pursue her claims in the Employment Tribunal.
Funding an Employment Tribunal Claim
It was at this stage where I asked my client how she may be able to fund her Employment Tribunal claim and I asked her whether she had Legal Expenses Insurance on her car, house insurance etc. She did not know but confirmed she would check her policies. Fortunately, a couple of days later she came back to me confirming she did have Legal Expenses Insurance.
I therefore wrote to her insurance company and put forward her case. They agreed that she had over 51% prospects of success in her claim and so they could instruct me, on her behalf, and pay for her legal fees.
Settlement
I immediately issued her claim to the Employment Tribunal and given the merits of her case, it was not long before the Respondent asked to engage in settlement negotiations. I negotiated on her behalf and I was very pleased to obtain a fantastic financial settlement and good agreed reference for her.
How can Lincs Law Solicitors help you?
If you require any Employment Law advice please call 01522 440512 for a free consultation about your situation. For more information about unfair dismissal claims, please visit our website at https://lincslaw.co.uk/…/resignation-dismissal-and-redunda…/
Lucy Stones, Specialist Employment Solicitor
Lincs Law Employment Solicitors
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