Mr D Clough and Others v Wooldridge Contractors Ltd (In Administration) and Secretary of State for Business and Trade: 3305198/2024 and Others
JUDGMENT
(1) The respondent has failed to comply with a requirement of section 188 of the Trade Union & Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992. The claim for a protective award succeeds.(2) The Tribunal makes a protective award in respect of the claimants who worked at the respondent’s establishment at 17 Hall Grove Farm, Bagshot, Surrey GU19 5HP and who were dismissed as redundant on or after 7 February 2024 that the employer pay remuneration for the protected period which begins on 7 February 2024 and is for a period of 90 days. The Recoupment Regulations apply.REASONS
[1]The claimants were employed at the same establishment at 17 Hall Grove Farm, Bagshot, Surrey GU19 5HP (“the establishment”) and were made redundant on 7 February 2024.[2]There was no recognised trade union or elected employee representatives at the establishment. 3. 20 or more employees at the establishment were made redundant or placed at risk of redundancy, on or within 90 days of 7 February 2024.[4]The claimants were dismissed during this period without any consultation having taken place.[5]The last of the dismissals occurred on 7 February 2024, so all the claims have been presented within the time limit contained in section 189(5)(b) of the Trade Union & Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.[6]The respondent, which is in administration, has not filed a response but its administrators have given their consent to the claim for a protective award proceeding. The Secretary of State for Business & Trade has filed a response to assist the Tribunal only and has no direct knowledge of events. In these circumstances it would be disproportionate to convene a hearing.[7]There is no reason to depart from the principle that protective awards are punitive and should be for the maximum period unless there are circumstances making it just not to do so. Approved by: Regional Employment Judge Foxwell Date 26 March 2025[1]The claimants were employed at the same establishment at 17 Hall Grove Farm, Bagshot, Surrey GU19 5HP (“the establishment”) and were made redundant on 7 February 2024.[2]There was no recognised trade union or elected employee representatives at the establishment. 3. 20 or more employees at the establishment were made redundant or placed at risk of redundancy, on or within 90 days of 7 February 2024.[4]The claimants were dismissed during this period without any consultation having taken place.[5]The last of the dismissals occurred on 7 February 2024, so all the claims have been presented within the time limit contained in section 189(5)(b) of the Trade Union & Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.[6]The respondent, which is in administration, has not filed a response but its administrators have given their consent to the claim for a protective award proceeding. The Secretary of State for Business & Trade has filed a response to assist the Tribunal only and has no direct knowledge of events. In these circumstances it would be disproportionate to convene a hearing.[7]There is no reason to depart from the principle that protective awards are punitive and should be for the maximum period unless there are circumstances making it just not to do so. Approved by: