Claimant v Natures Way Foods Ltd
Outcome
Individual claims
The tribunal found that the automatically unfair dismissal claim pursuant to section 103A Employment Rights Act 1996 (whistleblowing dismissal) was not well-founded and dismissed it. The claimant failed to establish that the reason for dismissal was that he had made a protected disclosure.
The tribunal found that the ordinary unfair dismissal claim was not well-founded and dismissed it. The respondent established a fair reason for dismissal and acted reasonably in treating it as sufficient reason for dismissing the claimant.
Facts
Mr Jablonski was employed by Natures Way Foods Ltd, a food manufacturing company. He brought claims for both automatic unfair dismissal on the grounds of whistleblowing under section 103A ERA 1996 and ordinary unfair dismissal. The claimant appeared in person with the assistance of a Polish interpreter. The hearing lasted two days before a full tribunal panel.
Decision
The tribunal dismissed both claims. The tribunal found that the claimant had not established that his dismissal was for making protected disclosures, rejecting the whistleblowing claim. The tribunal also found that the respondent had a fair reason for dismissal and acted reasonably, rejecting the ordinary unfair dismissal claim.
Practical note
A claimant alleging automatic unfair dismissal for whistleblowing must establish that the reason for dismissal was the making of protected disclosures, not merely that disclosures were made prior to dismissal.
Legal authorities cited
Statutes
Case details
- Case number
- 6007814/2024
- Decision date
- 18 November 2025
- Hearing type
- full merits
- Hearing days
- 2
- Classification
- contested
Respondent
- Sector
- food manufacturing
- Represented
- Yes
- Rep type
- in house
Claimant representation
- Represented
- No