A former Aldi store manager has been awarded £26,000 after an employment tribunal ruled he was constructively dismissed. Barry Williams, who worked for the supermarket for a decade, claimed he was forced to quit after being subjected to undue pressure and exaggerated misconduct allegations.
The tribunal heard that Williams was once highly regarded and helped open new stores, including one in Norris Green, Liverpool, in 2015. However, his performance declined around 2018, leading to a disciplinary investigation. He resigned without notice in February 2019 after being accused of hiding price cards and altering staff clocking-off times.
Employment Judge Dawn Shotter found that Aldi's culture placed 'unbearable pressure' on managers, and that the allegations against Williams were exaggerated and used as a pretext to force him out. The judge noted that similar practices were 'widely ignored' when stores performed well.
The tribunal concluded that Aldi breached the implied term of trust and confidence, but reduced the compensation by 20% due to Williams' own conduct and underperformance. The award reflects the supermarket's fundamental breach of contract.
