Winkworth branch to pay former neg £10,600 after unfair dismissal
The firm's franchise in Worthing was found to have dismissed former employee Jamie Peacock without paying redundancy and owed wages.
A Winkworth franchise has been ordered to pay a senior sales negotiator more than £10,600 for unfair dismissal.
An employment tribunal found Jamie Peacock (pictured) was entitled to a redundancy payment after being sacked by NMW Estates, trading as Winkworth with a branch in Worthing, West Sussex (main picture).
Breach of contract
Judge Livesey said: “Peacock was unfairly dismissed, suffered unlawful deductions from wages, was dismissed in breach of contract and was entitled to a redundancy payment.”
The sales negotiator had worked for Winkworth since 2016 when the franchise had different owners, North Kensington Residential. His hours increased substantially, and a new contract was signed in March 2022. At the end of his employment, he was earning an annual salary of £40,000.
Dismissed
His employment transferred to the new franchise owner in December last year, after Nathan Wright took over the franchise.
He was not paid in December, and on 15 January, he received a letter informing him he had been dismissed.
“The Claimant had more than two years’ service, having initially been employed in May 2016. He was dismissed unfairly,” the judge said.
“No adequate or fair process was adopted leading to his dismissal. He was not warned and/or consulted with in respect of a possible redundancy and there was no attempt to examine possible alternatives.”
New job
Peacock was awarded £10,615, including £7,350 in redundancy payment and £1,955 for unpaid wages.
He got a new job in the week after his dismissal as a senior negotiator with estate agency Jacobs Steel, and is now receiving a salary of £30,000, which with commission, is equal to his previous salary.
A spokesperson for Winkworth told The Neg: “Winkworth is not responsible for the employment arrangements at franchised offices in the Winkworth network. This is a matter for the individual office as they are independently owned and operated.”
