Cases6001217/2024

Claimant v Gordano Limited

27 June 2025Before Employment Judge YallopSouthamptonremote video

Outcome

Default judgment£17,358

Individual claims

Unlawful Deduction from Wagessucceeded

The Respondent failed to pay the Claimant his full salary in the period from 31 October 2023 to 22 March 2024. In October 2023 he received only half his salary, and from November 2023 to February 2024 he received no pay at all. The tribunal found these to be unauthorised deductions from wages.

Unlawful Deduction from Wagessucceeded

The Respondent deducted employee pension contributions of 3% from the Claimant's salary during the period from 30 September 2022 to 31 October 2023 but then failed to pay those contributions into a pension scheme on the Claimant's behalf. This constituted an unauthorised deduction from wages.

Breach of Contractdismissed on withdrawal

The Claimant's complaint in respect of breach of contract for failing to pay employer pension contributions was dismissed because the Claimant confirmed he remains employed by the Respondent and the Tribunal does not have jurisdiction to hear breach of contract claims for current employees.

Facts

The Claimant worked for Gordano Limited on a salary of £37,000 per annum with 3% employee pension contributions. From October 2023 the Respondent failed to pay his full salary: he received half pay in October 2023 and no pay from November 2023 to February 2024. Additionally, from September 2022 to October 2023, the Respondent deducted pension contributions from his salary but failed to pay them into a pension scheme. The Respondent failed to enter a response to the claim and did not attend the remedy hearing.

Decision

The tribunal found in favour of the Claimant and awarded £16,109.22 for unpaid salary and £1,248.75 for pension contributions that were deducted but not paid into a scheme. The tribunal dismissed the breach of contract claim regarding employer pension contributions because the Claimant remains employed and the tribunal lacks jurisdiction over such claims for current employees.

Practical note

A default judgment will be entered where a respondent fails to file a response, and deducting pension contributions without paying them into a scheme constitutes an unlawful deduction from wages.

Award breakdown

Arrears of pay£16,109
Unpaid wages£1,249

Award equivalent: 24.4 weeks' gross pay

Legal authorities cited

Statutes

Employment Tribunals Rules of Procedure rule 16(1)

Case details

Case number
6001217/2024
Decision date
27 June 2025
Hearing type
remedy
Hearing days
1
Classification
contested

Respondent

Sector
other
Represented
No

Employment details

Salary band
£30,000–£40,000

Claimant representation

Represented
No