Cases6008562/2024

Claimant v La Planta LTD

24 February 2025Before Employment Judge LeithLondon Southremote video

Outcome

Default judgment£3,752

Individual claims

Breach of Contractsucceeded

The respondent failed to present a response and did not attend the hearing. The tribunal found in the claimant's favour on his claim for breach of contract relating to notice pay.

Holiday Paysucceeded

The respondent failed to present a response and did not attend the hearing. The tribunal found the claimant was entitled to payment for accrued but untaken annual leave on termination of employment.

Unlawful Deduction from Wagessucceeded

The respondent made unauthorised deductions from the claimant's wages in two respects: firstly in respect of tips that should have been paid to the claimant, and secondly in respect of pension contributions that continued to be deducted after the claimant had opted out of the pension scheme.

Facts

The claimant was employed by La Planta Ltd, a company in the hospitality sector. Following termination of his employment, the claimant was not paid his notice pay or accrued but untaken holiday pay. The respondent also made unauthorised deductions from his wages, specifically withholding tips totalling £151.77 and continuing to deduct pension contributions of £182.99 after the claimant had opted out of the pension scheme. The respondent failed to present a response to the claim or attend the hearing.

Decision

The tribunal found in favour of the claimant on all claims as the respondent failed to defend the proceedings. The tribunal awarded the claimant £3,751.95 comprising notice pay, holiday pay, unpaid tips, and wrongly deducted pension contributions.

Practical note

Employers who fail to engage with tribunal proceedings risk default judgments covering all properly pleaded claims, including notice pay, holiday pay, and unauthorised wage deductions.

Award breakdown

Notice pay£2,025
Holiday pay£1,392
Unpaid wages£335

Case details

Case number
6008562/2024
Decision date
24 February 2025
Hearing type
default judgment
Hearing days
1
Classification
default

Respondent

Sector
hospitality
Represented
No

Claimant representation

Represented
No