Alan Suddick v Elite Health & Fitness Sunderland Ltd — 2020

The tribunal dealt with the case under Rule 21 because the respondent did not present a response, despite an extension of time to 14 May 2020. A telephone preliminary hearing was held on 12 June 2020, at which the claimant was represented by Sunderland Welfare Rights Centre. The tribunal recorded that the claimant, Alan Suddick, had been employed by Elite Health & Fitness Sunderland Ltd from 1 October 2011 until 21 December 2019 and was dismissed without notice by reason of redundancy.

The tribunal was satisfied on the available material that the claimant was entitled to a statutory redundancy payment, accrued but untaken holiday pay, and damages for breach of contract in respect of the failure to give eight weeks' notice. It found that at the date of dismissal he had eight complete years of service, was aged 45, had a gross weekly pay of £180, and had accrued seven days of untaken holiday worth £180 gross. It also found that he was told the business was ceasing to trade with immediate effect and that he was given no notice and no payment for outstanding holiday.

The judgment ordered payment of £1,880 for the redundancy payment, £180 for holiday pay, and £1,440 in damages for breach of contract, producing a total amount payable of £3,500.