Cases6002536/2025

Claimant v Cupp Limited

18 June 2025Before Employment Judge E SearleyEast Londonremote video

Outcome

Claimant succeeds£1,029

Individual claims

Unlawful Deduction from Wagessucceeded

The claimant worked 88.9 hours at £8.60 per hour between 1 October and 26 October 2024 and received no pay whatsoever. The respondent's manager acknowledged the wages were due via text message but deliberately failed to pay. This was an unauthorised deduction from wages.

Holiday Paysucceeded

The respondent failed to pay the claimant for accrued but untaken holiday when her employment ended on 26 October 2024. The tribunal calculated she was owed 0.4 weeks' worth of holiday pay (22 hours per week at £8.60 per hour).

Facts

The claimant worked as a bubble tea barista at the respondent's Ilford shop for 26 days in October 2024, working 88.9 hours at £8.60 per hour. Despite repeated requests and the manager acknowledging payment was due via text message, the respondent paid nothing. The claimant was not provided with written employment particulars. The respondent failed to file an ET3 or attend the hearing.

Decision

The tribunal made a default judgment under rule 21 in the claimant's favour, finding the claims for unauthorised deduction of wages and unpaid holiday pay well-founded. The respondent was ordered to pay £764.54 in unpaid wages, £75.47 in holiday pay, and £189.20 for failure to provide written particulars. A financial penalty of £514.61 was also imposed.

Practical note

Employers who deliberately fail to pay wages despite acknowledging they are due face not only full compensation but also financial penalties payable to the state, particularly where there is a pattern of similar conduct.

Award breakdown

Holiday pay£75
Unpaid wages£765

Legal authorities cited

Statutes

Employment Rights Act 1996Employment Act 2022 s.38Employment Tribunals Act 1996 s.12AEmployment Tribunal Rules rule 22

Case details

Case number
6002536/2025
Decision date
18 June 2025
Hearing type
rule 21
Hearing days
1
Classification
default

Respondent

Sector
hospitality
Represented
No

Employment details

Role
bubble tea barista
Service
1 months

Claimant representation

Represented
No