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BY
TIM GILLETT |
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| All's not fare in love and war… |
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Peter Leigh had been happily running a taxi and limousine service in Blackpool for nearly 20 years when he got involved in a legal battle with a long-serving employee. Nine long months later he won - thanks to FSB Member Services Peter Leigh has been in the taxi business for 30 years, all in all. Back in 1983, the lure of running his own business became too strong, and Peter decided to go it alone. Progress Taxis was born and for many years the company was a happy ship - until a bitter fight with an employee that led Peter to the conclusion that he would 'never set up in business again'. The female employee had worked with Peter for many years and he thought of her more as a friend than a colleague.
'I had always made it clear that if the business was a success, she could have a job for life if she wanted one. There wasn't even a written contract; we felt we knew each other so well that we didn't need one' Peter explains: 'I had always got on very well with her before I set up my company, so when Progress was born, I asked her to come and work with me. I had always made it clear that if the business was a success, she could have a job for life if she wanted one. There wasn't even a written contract; we felt we knew each other so well that we didn't need one.' Everything was fine for many years as the business prospered, but things started to deteriorate in January 2001, when Peter decided to take a three-month extended holiday to Australia. Peter continues: 'When I came back from Australia I returned to the office to discover that my colleague had turned into what I can only describe as a completely different person. She seemed very bitter about something but I could not establish what the problem was.' |
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Eventually the employee started to correspond with Peter - through a firm of solicitors - and she wanted to take him to tribunal for constructive dismissal, breach of contract and unlawfully-withheld payment. He had offered her a reduced financial package; six weeks' full pay plus eight weeks' half pay. At this point Peter contacted the FSB, which put him in contact with Abbey Legal Protection. He continues: 'Immediately, I felt I had someone on my side. I was able to call every time I received correspondence from the woman's solicitors. Abbey Legal's advice was absolutely invaluable and I can honestly say that my FSB membership fee is the best money I spend all year.' The case went to an employment tribunal in Manchester, and to Peter's great relief the tribunal found in his favour and the woman's grievances were not upheld. Stuart England, of Abbey Legal Protection, who was involved in Peter's case, said the best thing Peter did was calling FSB Member Services promptly. He says: 'Peter benefited most from the fact that once he had contacted us, there was always advice available at the other end of the phone.' Stuart added that members who make a successful claim through Abbey Legal Protection are entitled to a solicitor free of charge, as well as a barrister to represent them in court. He said legal fees in a case like this are likely to be in the region of £5,000. Stuart continued: 'This was by no means an open-and-shut case - there was some concern among some of my colleagues about the outcome of the tribunal, but even if Peter had lost the case he still would have benefited from his FSB membership. As long as a member sticks to the conditions of the policy - that is, he takes and follows any advice given - he will still have had his costs paid even if the case is lost.' For the full article, see pages 18 - 19 of the April /May 2002 issue of First Voice |
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Whilst every care has been taken in the compilation of this magazine, errors and omissions are not the responsibility of the publishers or of the editorial staff. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publishers or editorial staff. All rights reserved. Unless specifically stated, goods or services mentioned are not formally endorsed by the FSB which does not guarantee or endorse or accept any liability for any goods and/or services featured in this publication. Copyright NFSE (Sales) Ltd 2002 |
