Claimant v Druids Heath Golf Club Limited
Outcome
Individual claims
The tribunal determined that the claimant was a worker within the meaning of section 230(3) of the Employment Rights Act 1996, but not an employee within the meaning of section 230(1) and (2). As unfair dismissal claims are only available to employees and not workers, the claimant had no entitlement to bring an unfair dismissal claim and it was therefore dismissed.
Facts
The claimant brought a claim for unfair dismissal against Druids Heath Golf Club Limited. The central issue was the claimant's employment status. The tribunal heard evidence over three days in September 2025 via remote video hearing.
Decision
The tribunal determined that the claimant was a worker but not an employee under the Employment Rights Act 1996. Because unfair dismissal rights are only available to employees, the unfair dismissal claim was dismissed on jurisdictional grounds.
Practical note
This case illustrates the critical distinction between worker and employee status, particularly that workers do not have the right to claim unfair dismissal despite having other employment protections.
Legal authorities cited
Statutes
Case details
- Case number
- 1308816/2023
- Decision date
- 22 September 2025
- Hearing type
- preliminary
- Hearing days
- 3
- Classification
- contested
Respondent
- Sector
- hospitality
- Represented
- Yes
- Rep type
- barrister
Claimant representation
- Represented
- Yes
- Rep type
- barrister