The claimant resigned on 8 January 2021 and alleged that he had been constructively unfairly dismissed following events after a site incident on 27 October 2020. The tribunal found that the claimant's case was based on an alleged breach of the implied term of mutual trust and confidence, including the respondent's handling of discussions after 6 November 2020 and its failure to offer a settlement proposal.
The tribunal held that the protected conversation on 6 November 2020 was inadmissible under section 111A ERA and could not found the alleged breach. Looking objectively at the respondent's conduct after that date, the tribunal found that Mr Starrs was reacting to a developing situation, trying to find a solution to the claimant's benefit, and was entitled to stop pursuing a termination package once work had been found for the claimant.
The tribunal also found that, even if there had been a breach, the claimant had not resigned sufficiently promptly. The events relied on had occurred mainly between 30 October and 10 November 2020, while the resignation took place nearly two months later and after the claimant had legal advice. The claimant was therefore not constructively dismissed and the claim was dismissed.