Fantasy football row worker gets £1,000 from firm
A recruitment consultant who handed in his notice after his manager gave him fantasy football winnings in pocket change has been awarded £ 1,000 by an employment tribunal.
Fuming Stephen Spendley, 28, told Vanguard Site Services he was leaving the firm after a falling out with line boss Alan Kenny.
But the company refused to pay his two-week notice period claiming he was attempting to poach clients from the business
An Employment Tribunal heard in Glasgow heard how Mr Spendley and Mr Kenny had a series of run- ins about the manager’s unfair performance expectations.
The hearing was told the issue came to a head in February 2019 when Mr Kenny handed Mr Spendley office fantasy football winnings of £5 in “small denomination coins”.
The bizarre incident lead to Mr Spendley, who earned £26,000 a year at the firm which specialises in railway and construction recruitment, to consider leaving.
After a discussion with his partner he handed in his notice that day.
Mr Spendley, who was once hailed a hero after he chased a thug who had robbed a 14-yearold boy at knifepoint in Paisley leading to his arrest, felt he was left with no option but take legal action against the firm after they decided not to pay his notice period.
A written decision published online by the tribunal said: “Mr Spendley became increasingly unhappy with the manner in which he was being managed by Mr Kenny.
“In p a r t i c u l a r, h e was concerned that his performance was being measured by reference to unachievable KPIs.
“Mr Spendley was in a fantasy football league at the office with Mr Kenny and a number of other employees.
“On the morning of February 8, the claimant had a meeting with Mr Kenny in relation to KPIs. Mr Spendley was unhappy following that meeting.
“Mr Spendley was also due to receive monies as a result of his successes in the fantasy football league.
“On February 8, Mr Kenny chose to give Mr Spendley his contribution to Mr Spendley’s winnings of £ 5 in small denomination coins.
“The claimant was also unhappy at Mr Kenny taking this action, and swore at him. The claimant called his partner over lunch and decided to resign from his employment.”
The firm’s managing director Brian Smith refused to pay Mr Spendley’s notice period after seeing a Linkedin post from Mr Spendley looking for a new job.
Mr Smith believed he was attempting to take clients with him, a claim denied by Mr Spendley.
However, the tribunal said it was clear Mr Spendley was willing to work his notice period but was not given the chance by company bosses.
Employment Judge Amanda Jones told Vanguard to pay him £1,000 over the breach of contract.