A UNISON member has won an unfair dismissal case after she was told by a friend that her project manager position at a community centre had been axed.
Adele Dumas had to leave behind her family and the community where she had grown up in Wales, to find work in London, after she lost her job at the Black Mountain Community Centre, a charity in Brynamman.
Ms Dumas, from Upper Brynaman had managed the £1m extension project for the Black Mountain Community Centre, a charity in Brynamman, since November 2007. The project manager had worked for the charity and its board of trustees on a fixed term contract funded by the Welsh Assembly Government, which was set to come to an end on 31 March 2009.
She was told by the funders, in principle, that her contract would continue until March 2012, but in February 2009 she was asked to reapply for a different position. Ms Dumas was on sick leave when she was told by the charity she was no longer an employee, as a result of her contract coming to an end on 31 March 2009.
Cardiff Employment Tribunal found the charityÕs decision to dismiss her was unfair because she was not given a right to appeal. It also awarded her a five figure sum in compensation for the unfair dismissal, loss of holiday pay and wage deductions.
Darron Dupre, UNISONÕs Regional Officer, said:
ÒThis is a victory for Adele and for many of our members on fixed term contracts, who are unfairly dismissed. We need to be vigilant to make sure all employee rights are taken into account.
ÒAdele not only had to leave her family and community behind to find work and see her health suffer, she has had to deal with the fact that the job she loved is still open now.
ÒThis win should be a warning to all employers who fail to follow procedures correctly.Ó
Ms Dumas, who is now working as a practice manager for a top firm of Chartered Accountants, in London, said:
ÒI was proud to take the job as project manager of the centre, as I felt I had a wealth of experience which I could give back to the community. I took great pride in my work and was passionate about the projectÕs success, which meant I had received many compliments from the funders. When I was told I had lost my job it was a huge shock, especially as I knew that there was funding until March 2012 for my role.
ÒMaking the claim whilst living in such a small knit community was a very isolating thing to do. It does change your life and people don’t do it lightly. I was victimised, harassed and ultimately lost my livelihood. It also had a huge impact on my state of emotional and physical health.
ÒI am pleased to have won, but am disappointed that my role continues to be funded by the Welsh Assembly Government.Ó
Claire Jenkins, from Thompsons Solicitors, said:
ÒThe outcome of this case reflects the importance of being a member of a trade union.
ÒAdele has had tireless support from UNISON throughout, which undoubtedly assisted her in getting redress for her unfair treatment.Ó