P&O faces legal action over ‘shocking disregard’ for employment law - Law Society Gazette, Evening Standard

The mass sacking of staff by P&O Ferries could lead to a slew of successful employment tribunal claims, lawyers suggested today as trade unions prepare possible legal action over the ‘clearly illegal’ decision.

P&O fired 800 crew members on Thursday and announced plans to replace them with agency staff, citing ‘a £100m loss year-on-year’ and the need to ‘secure the future viability of our business’.

Russell-Cooke senior associate Jeremy Coy appears in the Law Society Gazette and Evening Standard commenting on P&O’s decision: "The sacked employees may have strong claims for unfair dismissal and for a failure to consult, which would typically entitle them to claim compensation but not to insist they are rehired. Only time will tell whether P&O will reconsider their decision or perhaps more likely reach a financial agreement with the employees."

P&O faces legal action over ‘shocking disregard’ for employment law is available to read on the Law Society Gazette website. 

A full pdf version of the article in the Evening Standard magazine is available to read here. 

Jeremy is a senior associate in the employment team. He has experience acting for large institutional employers as well as small and medium size businesses.

Jeremy also advises employees and senior executives, often at short notice on sensitive workplace issues such as restrictive covenants, discrimination and pay related disputes on bonuses, commission and incentive plans. He has particular experience in advising on settlement agreements and negotiating favourable severance payments for employees.