Mr Dean Hopkins v The Lodge Trust CIO — 2026

Mr Hopkins was dismissed without notice on 17 February 2023 for gross misconduct. The Tribunal found that the reason for dismissal was his conduct: using the lathe without extraction, insubordination towards the Chief Executive Officer, moving the lathe without a risk assessment, and returning it to its owner contrary to a management instruction.

The ordinary unfair dismissal claim was dismissed. The Tribunal found that Mr Knight genuinely believed Mr Hopkins had committed the acts alleged and had reasonable grounds for that belief, noting that Mr Hopkins had admitted most of the allegations. It found that the Respondent had conducted a thorough investigation, complied with the ACAS Code of Practice, followed a fair procedure, and that the delays were reasonable. Dismissal was found to be well within the band of reasonable responses.

The automatic unfair dismissal claim under section 103A ERA 1996 was dismissed. The Tribunal found that the dismissal had nothing to do with the disclosure made in January 2023: the disciplinary process had already begun, and the disclosure had no bearing on Mr Knight's decision.

The protected-disclosure detriment claim under section 47B ERA 1996 was also dismissed. The Tribunal found that the alleged disclosure did not convey information but consisted of allegations, was not made in the public interest, and was made in retaliation to allegations that Mr Hopkins had himself breached health and safety requirements. It further found that, even if a protected disclosure had been made, Mr Hopkins had not suffered any of the alleged detriments.

The notice pay claim was dismissed because the Tribunal found that the Respondent was entitled to dismiss Mr Hopkins without notice following his fundamental breach of the employment contract. No monetary award was recorded.