Conveyancing firm to fight Tribunal case after boss dismisses son
The GMB union is acting for an IT apprentice, who it says was 'callously' dismissed by SE-based Biscoes Solicitors, a claim it strenuously denies.
A well-known conveyancing firm has become embroiled in a row with the GMB union over the ‘sacking’ of a junior IT worker.
The case stands out as the company’s MD is the mother of the ex-member of staff.
GMB is preparing a tribunal case for Oliver Clark, who it says was dismissed a few days before completing a two-year apprenticeship with Biscoes Solicitors in Portsmouth.
Clark says he was unfairly dismissed, and has alleged bullying and discriminatory behaviour from employees at Biscoes.
He also says that despite working for the company for four years, he was sacked ‘on-the-spot’ without warning. An appeal against the ‘dismissal’ was unsuccessful.
Shocked
Clark’s mother Alison Lee, is the Biscoes MD, a role she took on in 2015 after working her way up in the firm she joined in 1992.
She says on her LinkedIn page: “I am a mother of two adult humans of whom I am immensely proud”.
Nicola Nixon, GMB’s regional organiser, says: “I was shocked to find out one of the senior managing directors Alison Lee is in fact our dismissed member’s mother.
“This process has left our member feeling hurt and bewildered that his own mother could treat him in this manner.
“I’ve known some cold and callous actions by employers in the past, but this is by far the worst I’ve ever seen.”
‘Strenuously denied’
Biscoes issued a statement in response to the case: “Biscoes Solicitors are aware of an article that’s in the press from GMB Union regarding an ex-employee, the allegations are strenuously denied, and we await notification of the tribunal proceedings.”
The company has six offices in the south coast area, including the Isle of Wight, and deals with other legal issues as well as conveyancing.
Read more about employment tribunal cases.
