Unfairly dismissed?

[kat2206]

My partner has been employed as a sales rep for 11 months with his current employer. Since he has started with the company they have taken on another sales rep.

Yesterday my partner was asked to come into the office today for a meeting, once there, this morning, he was taken into an office and was told that they could "no longer afford" him and that we lived in a logistical area that didnt suit the company.

He was to leave the company immediately, they would honour next months salary and he is allowed to keep his company car for approx 1 month too.

He was given absolutely NO notice period, he was NOT dismissed for gross misconduct, he was purely "let go" for financial reasons to the company. However the sales rep that started AFTER him is still there and been given my partners sales area as well as hers, the rep being a type 1 diabetic and can only just manage her own territory.

My partners sales targets were the best in the whole of the sales team, which was confirmed by his sales manager today too.

Do we have a claim? or is it the case of yet another employer in this country taking their employees for a "ride". Welcome to the 21st century and goodbyye!

[Whickerman]

Unfair dismissals rights usually only kick in after 12 months. Watch rep 2 being fired in a few months too.

[hippyhoppy]

A trip to the citizens advice beaureau could help clear things up and point you in the right direction of the next step (if that makes sense?) Good Luck...

[buildersmate]

The CAB will just tell you the same as the first 2 replies, which are correct interpretations (unless there is a discrimination claim on sexual, religious, pregnancy!, or membership of the TU issue).

[Reverandfunk]

In cases like this employers have you over a barrel, if you try and take them to a tribunal it is a long drawn out process and will probably be rather stressful.

Plus more and more potential employers now ask if you have ever taken anyone to a tribunal, say yes and they won't touch you with a barge pole.

Grossly unfair, but i'd just move on.