Cases2217652/2023

Claimant v Royal Mail Plc

5 September 2024Before Employment Judge WoodheadLondon Centralremote video

Outcome

Claimant succeeds£10,570

Individual claims

Unfair Dismissalsucceeded

The respondent conceded that the complaint of unfair dismissal was well-founded. The tribunal awarded a basic award and compensatory award at the statutory cap, both uplifted by 25% for ACAS Code failure.

Unlawful Deduction from Wagessucceeded

The respondent conceded that unlawful deductions from wages occurred for the period 9 June 2023 to 2 August 2023. The tribunal awarded £1,317.50 representing the gross sum deducted, uplifted by 25% for ACAS Code breach.

Wrongful Dismissalsucceeded

The respondent conceded the wrongful dismissal claim relating to notice pay. The tribunal awarded £629.65 representing 4 weeks' notice pay at weekly rate of £125.93, uplifted by 25% for ACAS Code failure.

Holiday Paysucceeded

The respondent conceded the holiday pay claim under regulations 14(2) and/or 16(1) of the Working Time Regulations 1998. The tribunal awarded £1,318.44 for accrued but untaken holiday, uplifted by 25% for ACAS Code breach.

Facts

Ms Ladjanszky was employed by Royal Mail PLC on a weekly wage of £125.93 with a 4-week notice period. She was dismissed on 2 August 2023. The respondent made unlawful wage deductions during the period 9 June 2023 to 2 August 2023, failed to pay notice pay, and failed to pay accrued holiday entitlement. The respondent unreasonably failed to follow the ACAS Code on disciplinary procedures.

Decision

This was a remedy hearing where the respondent conceded all claims including unfair dismissal, unlawful deduction of wages, wrongful dismissal, and holiday pay. The tribunal applied a 25% ACAS uplift to all awards due to the respondent's unreasonable failure to follow the ACAS Code. Total award of £10,569.53 comprising basic award, compensatory award (at statutory cap), unpaid wages, notice pay, and holiday pay.

Practical note

Employers who unreasonably fail to follow ACAS disciplinary procedures face automatic 25% uplifts on all monetary awards, not just the compensatory award for unfair dismissal.

Award breakdown

Basic award£756
Compensatory award£6,548
Notice pay£630
Holiday pay£1,318
Unpaid wages£1,318

Adjustments

ACAS uplift+25%

Respondent unreasonably failed to comply with the ACAS Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures 2015. Tribunal found it just and equitable to increase all awards by 25%.

Legal authorities cited

Statutes

Section 207A Trade Union & Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992Working Time Regulations 1998 regulation 14(2)Working Time Regulations 1998 regulation 16(1)

Case details

Case number
2217652/2023
Decision date
5 September 2024
Hearing type
remedy
Hearing days
1
Classification
contested

Respondent

Sector
logistics
Represented
Yes
Rep type
solicitor

Employment details

Claimant representation

Represented
No