Interesting Cases

Panikulam Paulose v Synergy Health UK Ltd
On 1 March 2017, an employment tribunal rejected an unfair dismissal claim brought by a worker who was caught using scissors to cut his fingernails while working in a sterile environment assembling trays of medical instruments.
Shaw v B&M Retail Ltd
On 28 February 2017, an employment tribunal upheld unfair dismissal and breach of contract claims over an employee’s dismissal for testing positive for methadone. The tribunal found that there were flaws in the employer’s investigation into the positive test.

Gnahoua v Abellio London Ltd
On 26 February 2017, an employment tribunal made a nominal award of £2 for an employer’s refusal to allow an employee to be accompanied at a disciplinary hearing by his chosen companion, a union official who had been banned by the employer for intimidating members of staff.

Hegg v Co-op Group Ltd
On 17 February 2017, an employment tribunal found that a shop worker who ate a Twirl chocolate bar from the shop but forgot to pay for it was unfairly dismissed. According to the tribunal, the person who made the decision failed to explore adequately whether the failure to pay was down to forgetfulness or dishonesty.