Mr Steven Snaith v Aurorium UK Limited — 2025

The claimant was employed as Europe Finance Director and was dismissed with pay in lieu of notice after the respondent concluded that he had committed gross misconduct by serious negligence in the performance of his duties. The issues arose from events connected with Rabobank's withdrawal of funding from Aurorium Netherlands after covenant breaches and unexpected poor financial results.

The tribunal considered the claimant's senior role, the respondent's findings about his responsibility, the investigation and disciplinary process, and the appeal. It found that the respondent's management were entitled, as reasonable management, to conclude that the claimant was guilty of gross misconduct justifying dismissal, while taking account of mitigation by paying notice.

The tribunal stated that it was not deciding for itself whether the claimant was guilty of serious negligence amounting to gross misconduct. Its conclusion was that the dismissal decision was within the range of reasonable responses, so the unfair dismissal claim failed and was dismissed.