Mum loses unfair dismissal claim

A Birmingham mum has lost her unfair dismissal case against an insurance company she was employed by and now has to pay a bill of over £257,000.

The Birmingham Mail reported that Cherry Clarke, of Great Barr, is refusing to pay this sum.

She said: "This has been a huge shock to me and has had a terrible impact on my family. I can’t believe the amount they are asking for. I am not prepared to pay even £5 of this."

She began working for Eagle Star, an insurance firm, which was subsequently taken over by Zurich, in 1979. She was given private health insurance payments in 1992 as a wrist injury meant that she could not work as a typist. However an investigation ended in her being dismissed in 2005.

Ms Clarke then brought a court case for unfair dismissal, breach of contract and disability and race discrimination against Zurich UK General Services Limited.

She has now been informed by a Birmingham County Court that she must pay the firm costs of £257,780 after losing the case in the Court of Appeal.

In a case this year TV presenter Miriam O'Reilly won an unfair dismissal case against the BBC, showing the importance of hiring employment solicitors.
Published by Hannah Carr