Cases6008908/2024

Claimant v Switch My Business Group Limited

20 February 2025Before Employment Judge K M RossManchesterremote video

Outcome

Claimant succeeds£3,300

Individual claims

Unlawful Deduction from Wagessucceeded

The respondent failed to attend and did not present a response. Under Rule 21, the tribunal found in favour of the claimant for unauthorised deduction of 5 weeks' pay totalling £2,500.

Breach of Contractsucceeded

The respondent failed to attend and did not present a response. The tribunal awarded 1 week's notice pay of £500 for the respondent's failure to pay notice pay.

Holiday Paysucceeded

The respondent failed to attend and did not present a response. The tribunal awarded £300 for accrued but untaken holiday pay.

Whistleblowingwithdrawn

The claimant is no longer pursuing the public interest disclosure detriment claim and it was dismissed on withdrawal.

Facts

The claimant brought claims for unlawful deduction of wages (5 weeks' pay), notice pay (1 week), accrued holiday pay, and public interest disclosure detriment against Switch My Business Group Limited. The respondent failed to present a response or attend the hearing. The claimant earned £500 per week. The claimant withdrew the whistleblowing detriment claim during the hearing.

Decision

The tribunal made a Rule 21 default judgment in favour of the claimant as the respondent did not attend. The claimant was awarded £2,500 for unlawful deduction of wages, £500 for notice pay, and £300 for holiday pay, totalling £3,300. The whistleblowing claim was dismissed on withdrawal.

Practical note

Where a respondent fails to respond to a claim or attend a hearing, the tribunal can make a default judgment under Rule 21 for contractual claims including unpaid wages, notice pay, and holiday pay.

Award breakdown

Notice pay£500
Holiday pay£300
Unpaid wages£2,500

Award equivalent: 6.6 weeks' gross pay

Legal authorities cited

Statutes

Employment Tribunals Rules of Procedure 2013 - Rule 21

Case details

Case number
6008908/2024
Decision date
20 February 2025
Hearing type
rule 21
Hearing days
1
Classification
default

Respondent

Sector
professional services
Represented
No

Employment details

Salary band
£25,000–£30,000

Claimant representation

Represented
No