Two employees for Highland Quality Construction have won their compensation claims after they were duped by their former bosses into signing away their redundancy.
Highland Quality Construction appeared to be trading profitably but went into receivership last June.
The transport manager for Highland Quality Construction told the men, Robert Stewart and Martin Spence, the firm no longer existed and they should begin working for new companies. They were also told that if they did not sign letters of resignation then they would not be paid for the week.
Both men were told the letters would not affect their redundancy rights, and they had a grace period in which to withdraw their resignation. Both men tried to withdraw it but managers refused to allow them to do so.
Robert Stewart was immediately transferred to another company, Highland Recycling Limited, and Mr Spence was promised work at Daviot Farms Limited. No work materialised for Mr Spence as no one would answer the calls he made. Mr Stewart worked for Highland Recycling Limited for a short time.
Neither man had any indication that Highland Construction was in financial difficulties.
The tribunal judge ruled that there was “no genuine consent” from the two men, and awarded them a combined total of £7000 in compensation.
Mr Stewart of Inverness was awarded £4,823 in compensation, while Mr Spence of Kincraig received a payout of £2,236.
There was no representation made by Highland’s receivers KPMG LLP at the tribunal that was held in Inverness.
