Ms E Dolan v Q Retail Stores Limited Heard at Leeds by CVP — 2025

On 6 November 2024 the claimant was appointed as e-commerce manager on a salary of £55,000 to start on 10 February 2025, with hours and pay date specified and a three-month probation period. After the claimant sought further information about holidays, pension and bonus, she accepted the offer unconditionally on 7 November 2024. The tribunal found that this acceptance created a binding contract between the parties.

When the respondent attempted to withdraw the offer on 22 November 2024, the tribunal found that it was in breach of contract. Applying Article 3 of the Employment Tribunals Extension of Jurisdiction (England and Wales) Order 1994 and the authorities cited in the judgment, including Anderson and McCann, the tribunal held that the claimant was entitled to reasonable notice. It took account of the salary and probationary period, did not take account of the blank statement of particulars because no contract existed at the time of breach, and did not allow the claimant's wider compensation claim.

The tribunal awarded one month’s notice in the gross sum of £4,583.33, payable by Q Retail Stores Limited. The judgment records that the claimant had sought compensation of more than £20,000, but the award was limited to reasonable notice.