Mrs Syra Bowden v The Mare and Foal Sanctuary — 2026

The claimant brought claims for constructive unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal, unauthorised deductions from wages, and accrued but unpaid holiday pay. At the outset of the hearing she withdrew the unauthorised deductions and holiday pay claims, which were dismissed on withdrawal.

The tribunal considered the claimant's case that the respondent had breached the implied term of mutual trust and confidence through the use and extension of a performance improvement plan, its handling of her application to become a director of an external organisation, and an email sent while she was signed off sick. It found that none of the matters, individually or cumulatively, amounted to a repudiatory breach of contract, and that the email did not operate as a last straw.

The tribunal concluded that the claimant was not constructively dismissed. Her constructive unfair dismissal claim therefore failed, and because the wrongful dismissal claim was accepted to stand or fall with that claim, it was also dismissed.