Cases4100707/2025

Claimant v FPKglasgow1 Ltd

4 November 2025Before Employment Judge P O'DonnellScotlandin person

Outcome

Claimant succeeds£6,812

Individual claims

Unlawful Deduction from Wagessucceeded

The claimant worked 532 hours at £16 per hour earning £8,512 total but was never paid wages during employment. The respondent paid only £1,700 in instalments after employment ended, leaving £6,812 unpaid. The tribunal found the respondent made unauthorised deductions from wages contrary to s.13 ERA 1996.

Facts

The claimant worked as a pottery painting section manager for the respondent from 27 May 2024 to 4 November 2024, working 532 hours at £16 per hour. She received no wages at all during her employment despite querying this repeatedly. After employment ended, the respondent paid £1,700 in instalments between November 2024 and January 2025 but made no further payments. The respondent did not submit an ET3 or attend the hearing.

Decision

The tribunal found the claim was out of time but exercised discretion to hear it, accepting the claimant's reasonable mistaken belief that the time limit ran from the last instalment payment rather than the last date wages were due. The tribunal found the respondent made unauthorised deductions from wages and ordered payment of £6,812 (total earned £8,512 minus £1,700 already paid).

Practical note

A claimant's reasonable mistaken belief about when a time limit runs - even when self-researching the law - can satisfy the 'not reasonably practicable' test for extending time in unlawful deduction of wages claims.

Award breakdown

Arrears of pay£6,812

Legal authorities cited

Wall's Meat Co Ltd v Khan [1978] IRLR 49Northumberland County Council v Thompson UKEAT/209/07Westward Circuits Ltd v Read [1973] ICR 301Avon County Council v Haywood-Hicks [1978] IRLR 118Porter v Bandridge Ltd [1978] IRLR 271London International College v Sen [1992] IRLR 292London International College v Sen [1993] IRLR 333Palmer and Saunders v Southend-on-Sea Borough Council [1984] IRLR 119

Statutes

Employment Rights Act 1996 s.207BEmployment Rights Act 1996 s.27Employment Rights Act 1996 s.23Employment Rights Act 1996 s.13

Case details

Case number
4100707/2025
Decision date
4 November 2025
Hearing type
full merits
Hearing days
1
Classification
contested

Respondent

Sector
hospitality
Represented
No

Employment details

Role
Manager of pottery painting section
Service
5 months

Claimant representation

Represented
No