Mr A Ahir v Scot Group Ltd t/a Switch Car Rental and Thrifty Car and Van Rental — 2024

Mr A Ahir brought an interim relief application arising out of the termination of his employment. The tribunal heard the application remotely on 30 October 2024 before Employment Judge Hallen. No oral evidence was called; the parties relied on documents, witness statements that were not considered orally, and oral submissions.

The tribunal applied the interim relief test under s.128(3) Employment Rights Act 1996 and considered whether it was likely that a tribunal would ultimately find that the reason for dismissal was the protected-disclosure reason in s.129(1)(a) ERA 1996. On the documentary material, the tribunal was not satisfied that the principal reason asserted by the claimant for dismissal was that he had made a protected disclosure.

In reaching that view, the tribunal noted that the claimant's grievance dated 18 September 2024 referred to a poor working relationship with another employee who was tasked with training him, together with a grievance about health and safety. The tribunal also noted that the co-employee lodged a counter-grievance on 23 September 2024 concerning the claimant's conduct towards her. The application for interim relief therefore failed, and the respondent was ordered to file its Response Form so that the claim could proceed to a preliminary hearing for further case management.