Iceland Frozen Foods Ltd v Jones [1983] ICR 17 is a UK labour law case, concerning unfair dismissal

Unfair dismissal

Unfair dismissal is the term used in UK labour law to describe an employer's action when terminating an employee's employment contrary to the requirements of the Employment Rights Act 1996...

, now governed by the Employment Rights Act 1996

Employment Rights Act 1996

The Employment Rights Act 1996 is a United Kingdom Act of Parliament passed by the Conservative government to codify the existing law on individual rights in UK labour law. Previous statutes, dating from the Contracts of Employment Act 1963, included the Redundancy Payments Act 1965, the...

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Facts

Mr Jones was summarily dismissed for failing to lock a door, and taking part in a ‘go slow’ shift while on security duties. Mr Jones claimed it was unfair. The employer contended it was justified.

Judgment

Browne-Wilkinson J remitted the case to tribunal with the observation that the haste of the dismissal was probably unwise. In interpreting what is or is not fair, the following should be considered.

See also

• UK labour law
• Iceland was approved by the Court of Appeal in Gilham v Kent CC (No 2) [1985] ICR 233, Neale v Hereford & Worcester CC [1986] ICR 471, Campion v Hamworthy Engineering Ltd [1987] ICR 966 and Morgan v Electrolux [1991] ICR 369.