Former pub manager denies leaving work to look after her dog, after winning unfair dismissal case

A former Norfolk pub manager who won her case for unfair dismissal has spoken about being dismissed for going home too often to “sort her dog out”.

Isabelle Tabrett, 23, said she loved her French bulldog, Franco, but she never left work to look after him.

She was general manager at the Golden Fleece at The Quay, Wells-next-the-Sea, when she was dismissed by owner Steve Brundle late last year.

She filed her claim form for unfair dismissal on December 7 and an employment tribunal at Norwich Magistrates’ Court in March judged she was unfairly dismissed.

Miss Tabrett, from Ashburton Close, Wells, said: “It was quite upsetting what he said about Franco, as I always made a point of being at work all day long. If I had been going home, I could have seen his point.

“It was my first management job, and I put everything into it. I loved working there and all the staff were great. I was shocked and angry to be dismissed, devastated. It was so out of the blue.”

Following her dismissal she was unemployed for two months before finding a job as front of house manager at the Number 29 bar in Burnham Market, where she still works.

She added: “If I met him (Brundle) again I don’t think I would say anything. I would probably just ignore him. I don’t think he’s worth any more of my time.”

Mr Brundle and Norfolk Coastal Pubs Ltd were ordered to pay her compensation of £5,740.82 plus a basic award of £733.50.

Mr Brundle sold the Golden Fleece and Norfolk Coastal Pubs Ltd to Dave Edmondson on January 27, and while Mr Edmondson did not have anything to do with her dismissal, he has paid Miss Tabrett the full amount, as he said it was unfair for her to be out of pocket.

Miss Tabrett started work at the pub on May 5, 2014, initially as a restaurant supervisor, before becoming general manager in 2015.

Mr Brundle, who now runs The Dormy House Hotel in West Runton, did not wish to comment.