Readman v Devon Promary Care Trust (Redundancy : Suitable alternative employment) [2011] UKEAT 0116_11_0112 (01 December 2011)

Readman v Devon Promary Care Trust (Redundancy : Suitable alternative employment) [2011] UKEAT 0116_11_0112 (01 December 2011)

The Tribunal failed to address whether the Appellant's core reason for refusing the hospital matron position—her desire not to work in a hospital setting after 23 years in community nursing—was sound and justifiable. This constituted a fundamental error of law. The Appellant's refusal was reasonable given her career history and preferences.

Citation
[2011] UKEAT 0116_11_0112
Parties
Appellant: Mrs Readman; Respondent: Devon Primary Care Trust
Jurisdiction
United Kingdom
Judgment Date
01 December 2011
Procedural Posture
Employment Appeal / Appeal Judgment
Outcome
Appeal allowed; Tribunal decision set aside
Legal Topics
Redundancy, Suitable Alternative Employment, Unreasonable Refusal

Case Brief

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

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Parties

Mrs Readman

Appellant

Devon Primary Care Trust

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Employment Appeal / Appeal Judgment

  1. 1 Whether the Employment Tribunal erred in law by concluding the Appellant unreasonably refused an offer of suitable alternative employment

Ratio Decidendi

The Tribunal failed to address whether the Appellant's core reason for refusing the hospital matron position—her desire not to work in a hospital setting after 23 years in community nursing—was sound and justifiable. This constituted a fundamental error of law. The Appellant's refusal was reasonable given her career history and preferences.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed; Tribunal decision set aside

Orders

  • Substitute finding that Appellant was entitled to receive a redundancy payment