£1,618 award over sacking

A former children's play centre hostess has been awarded £1,618 after being sacked by her Cannock employees for turning up late.

Sarah Read of Cheslyn Hay, told a Birmingham Employment Tribunal she had been late only once.

Miss Read had been employed for 18 months by Jennings Associates Limited at the Kids Aloud indoor centre at Bridgtown.

The 20-year-old, of Rosewood Park, complained she was unfairly dismissed after being between 10 and 15 minutes late.

The firm, which opposed her compensation claim, was accused of failing to carry out the correct disciplinary and dismissal procedure in accordance with the Employment Rights Act.

After deciding she had been unfairly dismissed, tribunal chairman Asleem Ahmed asked Miss Read and the firm's representatives if they wanted to come to an agreement over the compensation.

They rejected the offer and Mr Ahmed awarded Miss Read £1,618, which included a 30 per cent uplift for part of the award as a penalty for the Employment Rights Act breach.

Mr Ahmed said Miss Read had not been consulted over her intended dismissal which breached the act.

Miss Read now works for a travel firm.

A tribunal spokesman said the tribunal could make awards but did not have the authority to enforce payments.

Claimants were usually advised to claim their awards through the county court if the respondents failed to pay within a few weeks.