Dental Workers Awarded Compensation after Practice Closure
Seven dental workers have been awarded compensation after losing their jobs when a dental practice in Denbighshire was suddenly closed.
The seven women were working at the Llangollen Dental Practice when it experienced financial hardship at the end of 2011. The practice was shortly taken over by a new company at the beginning of 2012 but closed again once month later. The more recent owners denied any responsibility for the seven employees.
The women took the case to an employment tribunal. During the hearing, which took place in Mold, Judge John Haul stated that the managing company, HC1156, was responsible for the seven women and subsequently awarded them £33,000 in damages.
The tribunal heard that the women had been working for Pawl Kusmierek and Magda Karasiewicz at the Llangollen Dental Practice, which was later taken over by HC1156, a subsidiary of the Velvet Group Limited.
Each of the employees was transferred to HC1156 and the members of staff were informed that no changes would be made. They were provided with a staff handbook and invited to schedule staff appraisals as they assumed that their work would continue as usual. Just one month later, they were called to a meeting and then dismissed.
The women will now receive between £1,500 and £9,000 dependent on their time of service at the practice. Former practice manager, Susanne Davies said that everyone was relieved as they had disappointed by HC1156.
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