Cases3202104/2023

Claimant v Bakaruda Limited

9 April 2024Before Employment Judge John CrosfillLondon Centralon papers

Outcome

Default judgment£16,070

Individual claims

Redundancy Paydismissed on withdrawal

The claimant's claim for statutory redundancy payment was dismissed by consent, indicating the claimant withdrew this element of the claim.

Unlawful Deduction from Wagessucceeded

The tribunal found that the respondent unlawfully deducted salary due but unpaid for June and July 2023, totalling £9,106.66. The respondent failed to pay the claimant's monthly salary of £4,553.33 for each of these two months.

Breach of Contractsucceeded

The claimant succeeded in his notice pay claim. As Commercial Director entitled to 12 weeks' notice, he was awarded damages for one month's salary (£4,553.33) representing the loss between 31 July 2024 and 1 September 2023 when his contract could have been lawfully terminated.

Holiday Paysucceeded

The claimant was entitled to payment for 9.5 days of accrued but untaken holiday (having accrued 14.5 days by dismissal date and taken 5 days). The tribunal awarded £2,009.61 representing 1.9 weeks' pay based on the contractual entitlement to payment in lieu.

Facts

Mr Barandino was employed as Commercial Director by Bakaruda Limited on an annual salary of £55,000 with a 12-week notice period. He was dismissed on 31 July 2023. The respondent failed to pay his salary for June and July 2023, failed to pay notice pay, failed to pay £400 for additional work done in August 2023, and failed to pay for 9.5 days of accrued but untaken holiday. The respondent failed to file a response to the claim.

Decision

The tribunal entered a default judgment under Rule 21 in favour of the claimant, awarding a total of £16,069.60. This comprised unpaid wages for June and July (£9,106.66), one month's notice pay (£4,553.33), additional payments for August work (£400), and holiday pay for 9.5 days (£2,009.61). The redundancy pay claim was dismissed by consent.

Practical note

Where a respondent fails to respond, a tribunal can enter a default judgment on the papers if it has sufficient information from the ET1 to determine the claims, particularly straightforward contractual and wage claims with clear documentary evidence.

Award breakdown

Notice pay£4,553
Holiday pay£2,010
Unpaid wages£9,507

Award equivalent: 15.2 weeks' gross pay

Legal authorities cited

Statutes

ERA 1996 s.13ERA 1996 s.23Employment Tribunals Extension of Jurisdiction (England and Wales) Order 1994Employment Tribunals (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) Regulations 2013 Rule 21

Case details

Case number
3202104/2023
Decision date
9 April 2024
Hearing type
rule 21
Hearing days
Classification
default

Respondent

Sector
other
Represented
No

Employment details

Role
Commercial Director
Salary band
£50,000–£60,000
Service
7 months

Claimant representation

Represented
No