Unfair to dismiss bus driver for failing drugs test
An employment tribunal has ruled that a bus driver was unfairly dismissed when his employer dismissed him for gross misconduct after he failed a drugs test. There were no indications that the driver had been under the influence of drugs… Read on
Long-term disability benefits: employer not entitled to dismiss
The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has ruled that an employer was not entitled to dismiss an employee who was on long-term sick leave and receiving benefits under a long-term disability scheme. It implied a term into the employee’s contract of… Read on
Is unfair dismissal and constructive dismissal the same thing?
In a nutshell, when someone is constructively dismissed from their employment, they may be able to claim unfair dismissal (which is a statutory right set out in legislation). However, they will need to meet the various eligibility requirements for bringing… Read on
What is the difference between unfair dismissal and wrongful dismissal?
Unfair dismissal and wrongful dismissal may be used inter-changeably by the lay person but, they do not mean the same thing! They are two totally different types of claims which may be bought by individuals against their ex-employer. We explain… Read on
A quick guide to constructive dismissal
You may have heard the phrase “constructive dismissal” but, do you really know what it means? What does constructive dismissal involve and what are the legal implications when someone makes a claim for constructive dismissal? It’s a notoriously complicated area… Read on
Probationary periods: what are they and what do you need to know about them?
You may have heard people say they are “working their probation” and it is very common for employment contracts to contain a probationary period clause but, what exactly is this and, how does it work? We look at the legal… Read on
Employer’s disciplinary appeal failure could be constructive dismissal
The Court of Appeal recently reiterated that the effect of a successful disciplinary appeal by an employee against his dismissal was that the dismissal effectively “vanished” and his employment was restored. He should be treated as if he had never… Read on
Series of acts damaged trust and confidence and amounted to gross misconduct
An employer is entitled to terminate the employment contract without notice or pay in lieu of notice where there is an act or omission by the employee which amounts to gross misconduct (known as “summary dismissal”) . The crucial question… Read on
Constructive dismissal: pay cut entitled employee to bring claim
The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) recently considered the implications of an employer enforcing a drastic pay cut on an employee. Background Commonly, an employee’s constructive dismissal claim will be based on a breach of implied term of mutual trust and… Read on
Constructive dismissal: Court of Appeal decision on “last straw” principle
A recent decision from the Court of Appeal has made it clear that a series of events can add up to a breach of contract serious enough to allow an employee to resign and claim constructive dismissal, even when they… Read on