Farleys Secure Five Figure Settlement in Constructive Dismissal Claim for Vet

Mr A approached Farleys’ employment team about the possibility of pursuing a claim against his employer after raising legitimate concerns which included breach of legal obligations in relation to animal welfare at his place of work which was an animal charity.

In his capacity as veterinary surgeon, Mr A was forced to raise a formal grievance to the trustees of the animal charity regarding managers’ conduct after his verbal grievances were ignored.  Other members of Mr A’s vet team also raised their concerns.  The employer failed to properly investigate or respond to the grievances raised and the breaches of legal obligations continued.  Mr A was left with no alternative but to resign from his employment due to the fundamental breaches to his employment contract and in accordance with the advice he received from his regulatory body, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons who set, uphold, and advance the ethical and clinical standards of veterinary surgeons.

Mr A instructed Sally Eastwood of Farleys Solicitors to pursue a constructive dismissal claim against his former employer on his behalf after he was forced to resign after 12 years’ service as a veterinary surgeon.

Mr A was concerned that the claim he was pursuing was against an animal charity but rightly felt it was a necessary and proportionate course of action to encourage the organisation to address the failings of management that Mr A had raised to ensure adequate animal welfare standards are met at all times going forward.

A successful settlement was achieved at an early stage in the proceedings shortly after the claim form was issued at the Employment Tribunal.

Mr A commented:

I am extremely grateful to Sally for all her invaluable guidance and reassurance at every step of what can be a potentially very daunting process. All options were clearly but empathetically spelt out, which resulted in me being able to take fully informed decisions at each stage and consequently I am left in no doubt that we have reached the best possible outcome.

Sally Eastwood representing Mr A added “a positive result was achieved within a short period of time and was well deserved given the way in which Mr A had been treated”.

If you experience difficulties at work and require advice on how best to protect your position along with advice on any claims you may have, please contact Farleys employment team on 0845 287 0939 or contact us by email or through the online chat below.