Achuthan v Signa Care Group Ltd

Case Summary

The claimant brought claims of unfair dismissal, unauthorised wage deductions, and breach of contract against Signa Care Group Ltd. The tribunal found the unfair dismissal claim not well-founded and dismissed it. The claim for unauthorised wage deductions was upheld, and the respondent was ordered to pay £284.85 for deductions made on three dates in October and November 2024. The tribunal also upheld a claim for breach of contract regarding failure to pay for induction training and a DBS check deduction, ordering payment of £78.15.

The tribunal found the unfair dismissal claim not well-founded but upheld the unauthorised deductions and breach of contract claims relating to training payment and DBS check costs. The claim regarding pressure to purchase a car and the Working Time Regulations claim were both dismissed as not well-founded.

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• •Unfair dismissal
• •Unauthorised deductions from wages
• •Breach of contract - failure to pay for induction training
• •Breach of contract - DBS check deduction
• •Breach of contract - pressure to purchase car
• •Working Time Regulations breach

v3 10.2.25 1 EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNALS Claimant: Ms D Edassery Valappil Achuthan Respondent: Signa Care Group Ltd Heard at: Newcastle (by CVP) On: 9 - 11 March 2026 Before: Employment Judge Childe REPRESENTATION: Claimant: Mr K B Kumaran Nair (claimant’s brother-in-law) Respondent: Ms Hatch (Counsel) JUDGMENT The judgment of the Tribunal is as follows: 1. The complaint of unfair dismissal is not well-founded and is dismissed. 2. The complaint of unauthorised deductions from wages is well-founded. The respondent made an unauthorised deduction from the claimant's wages in the periods: a. 19 October 2024. b. 26 October 2024. c. 13 November 2024. 3. The respondent shall pay the claimant £284.85, which is the gross sum deducted and is a figure agreed between the parties. The claimant is responsible for the payment of any tax or National Insurance. 4. The complaint that the respondent breached the claimant’s contract by: v3 10.2.25 2 a. failing to pay the claimant for a day’s induction training in November 2023; and b. deducting £53 for the cost of a DBS check in December 2023, is agreed by the respondent. The respondent shall pay to the claimant £78.15, which the parties agree is the correct figure of compensation for the breach of contract. 5. The claim that the respondent breached the claimant’s contract by, in January 2024 pressuring the claimant to purchase a car which cost her £2,600, is not well founded and is dismissed. 6. The claim that the claimant was in breach of the Working Time Regulations 1998 is not well founded and is dismissed. Approved by: Employment Judge Childe 11 March 2026 Note Reasons for the judgment were given orally at the hearing. Written reasons will not be provided unless a party asked for them at the hearing or a party makes a written request wit…