Cases8000675/2024

Claimant v Bathing Mobility Advisory Service Ltd

10 March 2025Before Employment Judge M A MacleodScotlandhybrid

Outcome

Claimant fails

Individual claims

Constructive Dismissalfailed

The tribunal found no breach of contract by the respondent. The disciplinary process for failing to use the Loyverse app was justified as the claimant persistently refused a reasonable management instruction despite training and support. The delay in bonus payment was not deliberate, and the respondent acted reasonably once the issue was raised. The expenses issue involved no accusation of dishonesty, merely a factual observation that the original claim exceeded the validated amount.

Direct Discrimination(sex)failed

The claimant compared herself to Colin Hogg regarding discipline and Daniel Cameron regarding sick pay. The tribunal found both comparators were in materially different circumstances. Hogg was attempting to use the system and made errors, not refusing to use it. Cameron was injured at work, justifying discretionary full pay. The claimant failed to demonstrate the difference in treatment was because of her sex.

Unlawful Deduction from Wagesfailed

The claimant claimed unpaid commission and expenses. The tribunal found the respondent paid the correct bonus of £14,303.79 once aware of it, and paid validated expenses of £1,308.77. The claimant accepted both amounts as correct. No unlawful deduction was established.

Facts

The claimant, a Sales Manager employed since 2008, resigned claiming constructive dismissal after receiving a written warning in January 2024 for refusing to use a new sales app (Loyverse) introduced in July 2023. She also complained about delayed payment of a quarterly bonus (paid February 2024: £14,303.79) and alleged the respondent accused her of fraudulent expenses claims. She was paid SSP during sick leave for stress, while a male colleague injured at work received full pay.

Decision

The tribunal dismissed all claims. The disciplinary warning was justified as the claimant persistently refused a reasonable management instruction despite training and support over six months. The bonus delay was not deliberate breach, and the expenses issue involved no accusation of dishonesty. The sex discrimination claims failed because the comparators were in materially different circumstances (one was attempting to comply with instructions; the other was injured at work).

Practical note

An employer does not breach the implied term of trust and confidence by disciplining an employee for persistent refusal to follow a reasonable management instruction, even where the employee is otherwise high-performing and claims inadequate training, if the employer can demonstrate repeated attempts to support compliance.

Legal authorities cited

Malik v Bank of Credit and Commerce International [1998] AC 20Shamoon v Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary [2003] ICR 337Western Excavating v Sharp [1978] ICR 221Brown v Merchant Ferries Ltd [1998] IRLR 682BCCI v Ali (No 3) [1999] IRLR 508Wright v North Ayrshire Council UKEATS/0017/13/BS

Statutes

Employment Rights Act 1996 s.95(1)(c)Equality Act 2010 s.13(1)

Case details

Case number
8000675/2024
Decision date
10 March 2025
Hearing type
full merits
Hearing days
3
Classification
contested

Respondent

Sector
healthcare
Represented
Yes
Rep type
solicitor

Employment details

Role
Sales Manager
Salary band
£20,000–£25,000
Service
16 years

Claimant representation

Represented
No