A FORMER employee of a charitable community centre has been awarded over £3,000 after taking her employer to a tribunal.

Carol Farren was a chef at Millom Network Centre for around two and a half years from 21 December 2020 to 5 May 2023.

She made meals for the Meals on Wheels programme which were delivered to people in the community.

According to the tribunal report, in February 2023 Ms Farren became ill and was admitted to hospital for tests.

Her former employer said during her absence it was discovered 'Food Hygiene Standard levels and cleanliness' were not adhered to, according to tribunal papers.

Claims include dirt, clutter and mould and food stored incorrectly and at the wrong temperature resulted in Food Standards Agency regulations not being met.

According to documents, extra staff undertook a deep clean while Ms Farren was off and the council awarded the kitchen a 5/5 hygiene rating with no issues.

The Millom Network Centre entrance  (Image: Sue Dust) She initially denied photographic evidence provided by Millom Network Centre was of the kitchen she worked in however the judge ruled rejected that claim.

She agreed she may not have always recorded food temperatures and struggled with form filling due to her dyslexia, the tribunal was told.

The judge accepted that her line manager Tony Dixon and other trustees helped her with this prior to her absence.

A verbal warning was given at a disciplinary meeting about the kitchen cleanliness on her return on April 18.

But she asserted she was not informed in advance of the meeting or told she could bring a representative, the tribunal was told.

Office Manager Sue Dust claimed to have witnessed Mr Dixon shouting at Ms Farren on April 19 and described him as 'intimidating' and physically 'far too close', the tribunal papers said.

Ms Dust admitted making a contrary statement prior to this however said it was because she feared retaliation, documents said.

On 25 April 2023, an emergency meeting was called in Ms Farren's absence in which it was decided that the chef's employment would be terminated.

According to papers, Mr Dixon 'doesn't remember if he attended'.

On May 2, 2023 Ms Farren was dismissed after being called into another meeting with no advanced warning or offer of representation, the tribunal heard.

She appealed the decision on June 20, 2023 with an employment judge now ruling Ms Farren's claim as 'well-founded'.

Judge Ficklin said: "Whether the respondent genuinely believed the claimant was guilty of gross misconduct or not, there was no valid investigation into her conduct.

"The claimant was not allowed at any stage to take part in the process or investigation before the appeal, months later. The decision to dismiss the claimant was taken at a trustee meeting for which there is no record.

"There is no credible evidence at all of what information was before the trustees; Mr Dixon pretended not to know. The claimant was not invited to the meeting and knew nothing about it until the notice of termination was handed down.

"I find that the respondent intentionally excluded the claimant from the disciplinary and dismissal process. The investigation was not simply unreasonable, it was non-existent and therefore clearly unfair."

Ms Farren was also accused of making derogatory comments about Millom Network Centre which reached trustees.

Judge Ficklin added: "Other than assertions and hearsay, the respondent brought no evidence at all about the claimant’s attitude and behaviour to other staff."

The ex-employee was awarded a total of £3,259.94 with a basic award of £532, compensatory award of £2,145.94 and £50 for loss of statutory rights.

Former Millom Network Centre employees, including Ms Farren and Ms Dust, opened Millom And Around The Combe CIC Community Shop in August 2024.