Mr Grant Jeffreys v Global Fire and Security Systems Ltd — 2025

Employment Judge Ahmed, sitting alone via CVP across three days, gave a reserved judgment in a multi-headed claim by a Service Sales Engineer dismissed by Global Fire and Security Systems Ltd on 4 July 2024 for alleged gross misconduct (allowing his partner to accompany him to a work site at the Wellington Hotel and allegedly being dishonest about her presence).

Many of the unlawful deductions were agreed by consent and the tribunal ordered the respondent to pay £1,956.82 made up of 11 separately itemised heads. The claimant was also awarded £1,459 in outstanding commission, the tribunal preferring the claimant's calculations over the respondent's unsupported figures. The claim for holiday pay accrued and carried over was dismissed: it was out of time and the claimant could have re-booked refused dates, with 4 days having been agreed for carry-over. The deduction of £620 for parking fines was found to be a lawful deduction under clause 4.5 of the contract.

The wrongful dismissal/breach of contract claim succeeded. Mr Grantham, the only witness to the alleged incident, did not give evidence. Applying McCormack, the tribunal found the conduct could not be said to render future performance impossible, the alleged health and safety breach was unparticularised, there was insufficient evidence of dishonesty, and the respondent had failed to discharge the evidential burden of gross misconduct. The claimant was entitled to 6 weeks' contractual notice at £500 gross/week (£3,000). No ACAS uplift was awarded as no part of the Code was identified as having been breached.