Cases8001537/2024

Claimant v All Seasons Philipburn Ltd

28 February 2025Before Employment Judge M A MacleodScotlandremote video

Outcome

Claimant fails

Individual claims

Unlawful Deduction from Wagesfailed

The claimant claimed he was not paid for hours he worked as recorded on the clocking system. The tribunal found his evidence vague, unconvincing, and inconsistent. He had been dismissed for dishonesty (theft), clocked implausible hours (almost 24 hours on one occasion), and could not clearly explain late departures or calculate his claimed losses. The tribunal concluded he had not proven on the balance of probabilities that he suffered unlawful deductions.

Facts

The claimant worked as a team leader for one month on a zero hours contract at £12.60 per hour. He claimed he was not paid for approximately 78.75 hours worked, relying on a clocking system. The respondent disputed the accuracy of the clockings and argued he stayed late unnecessarily. The claimant was dismissed for gross misconduct (theft) on 25 August 2024. The respondent paid some disputed hours just before the hearing but contested the remainder.

Decision

The tribunal dismissed the claim. It found the claimant's evidence vague, inconsistent, and unconvincing. He had clocked implausible hours (including almost 24 hours on one day), could not explain late departures, and had been dismissed for dishonesty. The tribunal concluded he had not proven on the balance of probabilities that he was entitled to the wages claimed.

Practical note

Where wage claims depend on disputed time records, a claimant's credibility is critical — past dishonesty and implausible hours can fatally undermine a claim even where the employer's supervision was lax.

Legal authorities cited

Statutes

ERA 1996 s.13

Case details

Case number
8001537/2024
Decision date
28 February 2025
Hearing type
full merits
Hearing days
2
Classification
contested

Respondent

Sector
hospitality
Represented
Yes
Rep type
lay rep

Employment details

Role
Team Leader
Service
1 months

Claimant representation

Represented
No