Ocean Hill Lodge Ltd

Case Summary

Ms Milford was employed as a Care Manager at Ocean Hill Lodge Ltd care home from September 2019 until November 2024. She claimed unlawful deduction of wages for unpaid annual and occupancy bonuses totalling £3,500, and constructive unfair dismissal following her resignation in response to notice of termination. The tribunal found both claims succeeded: the unlawful deduction claim was upheld for the bonuses owed, and constructive dismissal was established; a remedies hearing was scheduled for 19 June 2026 to assess compensation for the dismissal.

The tribunal found that the claimant was entitled to the annual performance bonus of £2,000 and occupancy bonuses totalling £1,500 as these were agreed contractual terms, and the respondent's failure to pay them constituted unlawful deductions from wages. The constructive dismissal claim succeeded because the respondent's conduct, including refusal to pay contractual bonuses, made unfounded accusations, and threatened non-payment of salary, amounted to a fundamental breach of the employment contract.

• •Constructive unfair dismissal
• •Unlawful deduction of wages - annual performance bonus
• •Unlawful deduction of wages - occupancy bonus
• •Breach of contract terms regarding bonuses

1 EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNALS Claimant: Ms S Milford Respondent: Ocean Hill Lodge Ltd Heard at: East London Hearing Centre (by CVP) On: 19 and 20 March 2026 Before: Employment Judge M Hallen Representation For the Claimant: Mr E. Lowe - Trade Union Representative For the Respondent: Ms. B. Oguntala - Director RESERVED JUDGMENT This has been a remote hearing which has not been objected to by the parties. The form of remote hearing was by Cloud Video Platform. A face-to-face hearing was not held because the relevant matters could be determined in a remote hearing. The judgment of the Tribunal is that: - 1. The Claimant’s claims for contractual sick pay, holiday pay, itemised pay slips and notice pay are dismissed upon withdrawal. 2. The Claimant’s claim for unauthorised deduction of wages with respect to annual bonus for 2024 for £2,000 gross and occupancy bonus for June, July and August 2024 for £1,500 succeeds. The Respondent is ordered to pay the Claimant £2,000 less tax for the performance bonus and £1,500 less tax for the occupancy bonus. 3. The Claimant’s claim for unfair constructive dismissal is made out and succeeds. 4. The remedies hearing to assess the level of compensation for the constructive dismissal is listed for 19 June 2026. 2 5. Directions will be sent out separately in respect of preparations for this hearing. It is hoped that the case can be resolved without the need for a remedies hearing based on the guidance given to the parties in this judgment. REASONS Background 1. The Claimant was employed by the Respondent, owner of a care home, as a Care Manager, from 9 September 2019 until 1 November 2024. Early conciliation started on 31 January 2025 and ended on 28 February 2025. The claim form was presented on 28 March 2025. 2. At the hearing before me the Claimant withdrew he…