Redundancy Issue

[Hooby]

Hi, just wondered if anyone can advise us ( I'm finding it difficult to get in at the nearest CAB ). My son started work as an apprentice 2.5 years ago. There was the boss and another man that worked for him. As soon as my son was trained up, the boss stopped working with them and left my son and the other bloke to do the work. My son has passed his apprenticeship and was taken on properly last year. The other man has always felt put on by the boss and has had enough of him and suddenly walked out, thus leaving my son without a job ( he cannot do the job on his own ). The boss cannot offer my son another job ( to be honest, I think he wants it shut down anyway). Although my son has done nothing wrong and is stuck in the middle, the boss is refusing to pay him for the days he worked last month. Is that right? Does anyone know my son's rights? He's 19. Thank you for any advice.

[fiction-factory]

Looks like two or three issues then, Yes, he should be paid for the work done. He should also receive pay for the contractual notice period. It's unlikely there would be much due in terms of redundancy

[TonyV]

After 2 years employment you are normally entitled to redundancy payment, not sure how it works for apprentices though. He is certainly entitled to his wages and any holiday pay accrued, CAB may give some advice.

[TonyV]

Maybe a letter to boss requesting wages politely asking for money's owed would be the first thing to do? Guess he was a sole trader not a limited company. If no response within 14 days another letter saying you are going to county court, no one wants a CCJ

[Hooby]

My son sent him a polite notice asking for his final wages to be forwarded, but the boss just rudely replied that he had 'closed the payroll down'. It seems evident that he doesn't want to pay him what's due. It's not fair on my son, he's a hard working lad that's in the middle and now he has no job. ☹️

[Rosetta]

ACAS may be able to give more details about your sons rights. I hope your son gets it settled satisfactorily, this is an unpleasant start to a young mans career

[Buenchico]

Give the Acas Helpline a call:
http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=3282

(AB members have reported that there can be quite a wait to get through but that it's definitely worth holding on).

[TonyV]

OK this is only option then, if the case goes in your sons favour he will be awarded all his costs.
Best to give his ex boss 14 days notice of his intentions so that your son has tried to settle matter amicably. Letter should be hand delivered or by registered post.

[TonyV]

Chris as an aside I spent 30 minutes on phone to British Gas trying to give them money. Gave realtime readings whist on phone and they said would get back to me. Guess what no call. As I said do not to derail this thread.

[Hooby]

Thanks Rosetta, it's good to see someone else has picked up on the fact it's been a cruel start to a young hard working lads career! Thank you to all of the responses, especially TonyV for several comments. We shall be looking into it.

[TonyV]

Hoody you just need to push things forward, someone with up to date employment law knowledge will hopefully give you advice here, but my gut feeling is to "call his bluff" and see what happens.