Cases3309702/2023

Claimant v Cancer Research UK

3 March 2025Before Employment Judge FrenchWatfordin person

Outcome

Claimant fails

Individual claims

Unfair Dismissalfailed

The tribunal found the dismissal was fair and within the band of reasonable responses. The complaint was not well-founded and was dismissed.

Victimisationfailed

The tribunal determined that the claimant was not subjected to victimisation. The complaint was not well-founded and was dismissed.

Wrongful Dismissalfailed

The tribunal found that the respondent was entitled to dismiss without notice. The complaint of failure to pay notice pay was not well-founded and was dismissed.

Facts

Ms Ribaud was employed by Cancer Research UK and was dismissed. She brought claims of unfair dismissal, victimisation, and wrongful dismissal (failure to pay notice pay). The hearing took place over four days at Watford in February 2025, with the claimant represented by a solicitor for the first two days and then acting in person for the final two days. The respondent was represented by counsel throughout.

Decision

The tribunal dismissed all three claims. They found the dismissal was fair and within the band of reasonable responses, that there was no victimisation, and that the respondent was entitled to dismiss without notice, meaning no notice pay was due.

Practical note

An employer dismissed for cause may successfully defend claims of unfair dismissal, victimisation, and wrongful dismissal where the dismissal falls within the band of reasonable responses and amounts to gross misconduct.

Case details

Case number
3309702/2023
Decision date
3 March 2025
Hearing type
full merits
Hearing days
4
Classification
contested

Respondent

Sector
charity
Represented
Yes
Rep type
barrister

Claimant representation

Represented
Yes
Rep type
solicitor