Claimant v Almond Tree Care Limited
Outcome
Individual claims
The tribunal found that the deduction from wages for damage to the company car was a lawful deduction because it was authorised by the Claimant's signed contract of employment.
The tribunal found that the deduction for alleged training costs was unlawful because the training was the Claimant's standard induction for employment with the Respondent, and such costs could not lawfully be recovered.
Facts
The Claimant brought claims for unlawful deduction of wages relating to two deductions made by the Respondent employer, a care company. One deduction was for damage to a company car, and the other was for alleged training costs related to the Claimant's induction period when she joined the company.
Decision
The tribunal found that the deduction for car damage was lawful as it was authorised by the Claimant's signed employment contract. However, the deduction for training costs was unlawful as the training constituted standard induction and such costs could not be recovered. The Respondent was ordered to pay £500.
Practical note
Employers cannot lawfully deduct costs for standard induction training from an employee's wages, even if other contractually authorised deductions may be permitted.
Award breakdown
Case details
- Case number
- 3303931/2024
- Decision date
- 17 March 2025
- Hearing type
- full merits
- Hearing days
- 1
- Classification
- contested
Respondent
- Sector
- healthcare
- Represented
- Yes
- Rep type
- in house
Claimant representation
- Represented
- Yes
- Rep type
- lay rep