Cases3201853/2024

Claimant v Baller's Brands Limited

19 March 2025Before Employment Judge C LewisEast London

Outcome

Default judgment£13,440

Individual claims

Unlawful Deduction from Wagessucceeded

The tribunal found the respondent made an unauthorised deduction from the claimant's wages in the period 1 June 2024 to 30 September 2024. The respondent failed to attend or enter a response, and the claim succeeded by default.

Breach of Contractsucceeded

The tribunal found the complaint of breach of contract in relation to notice pay was well-founded. The respondent failed to pay the claimant's contractual notice entitlement following dismissal for redundancy.

Holiday Paysucceeded

The respondent made an unauthorised deduction from wages by failing to pay the claimant for holidays accrued but not taken when her employment ended on 30 September 2024.

Redundancy Paysucceeded

Under section 163 Employment Rights Act 1996, the tribunal determined the claimant was entitled to a statutory redundancy payment following her dismissal for redundancy when the respondent ceased providing work.

Facts

Sian Smith was employed by Baller's Brands Limited until 30 September 2024 when she was dismissed for redundancy and the respondent ceased providing her with work. The respondent failed to pay her wages from June to September 2024, failed to pay notice pay, failed to pay accrued holiday pay, failed to make a statutory redundancy payment, and failed to provide written employment particulars. The respondent did not attend the hearing and had not entered a response.

Decision

The tribunal found all claims well-founded and awarded the claimant unpaid wages, notice pay, holiday pay, redundancy pay, a 25% ACAS Code uplift, and compensation for failure to provide written particulars. The total award was £13,440. The respondent's non-participation led to a default judgment in the claimant's favour.

Practical note

Default judgments can result in significant awards including ACAS Code uplifts and penalties for failing to provide written particulars, even where the underlying claims are relatively modest.

Award breakdown

Notice pay£1,440
Holiday pay£1,320
Redundancy pay£1,440
Unpaid wages£5,400

Adjustments

ACAS uplift+25%

Respondent unreasonably failed to comply with the ACAS Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures 2015

Legal authorities cited

Statutes

ERA 1996 s.163Employment Act 2002 s.38Trade Union & Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 s.207A

Case details

Case number
3201853/2024
Decision date
19 March 2025
Hearing type
default judgment
Hearing days
1
Classification
default

Respondent

Sector
other
Represented
No

Employment details

Claimant representation

Represented
No