The UK Law Gazette writes
A former senior associate has failed with a claim to recover his full salary for his month’s notice period after he resigned following firm-wide pay cuts.
Hilesh Chavda, former head of private client at commercial firm DKLM Solicitors, claimed for the £2,500 reduction that was applied to his salary for June after he handed in his notice at the start of that month.
The claimant was employed as a £75,000-a-year senior associate from last October, but was told in March – along with all other staff – that his pay was being cut by 20%. This arrangement was to be reviewed after three months.
The London Central employment tribunal heard that Chavda agreed to a 40% cut but made it clear this was for one month only.
He was then told the following month that the arrangement would continue in May before resigning at the beginning of June. Chavda asked for confirmation that the firm would pay him his full salary for the month of his notice period, on the basis that his bosses had pledged to review the salary cut at the end of May.
The firm told Chavda that he had resigned before the salary review discussions took place, and confirmed that income figures were still not recovered sufficiently to return to 100% salary.
Here’s his appointment notice from late last year on the firm site
DKLM appoints Hilesh Chavda as Head of Private Client
DKLM is pleased to announce that it has appointed Hilesh Chavda as Head of Private Client. His appointment will help capitalise on the firm’s successes with high net worth individuals and entrepreneurs in the UK and international markets.
Hilesh joins from Royds Withy King and brings experience of advising UK and international high net worth individuals, entrepreneurs, families and trustees on succession planning, personal taxation and trusts. There are great synergies in his practice with the firm’s clients and services. Hilesh’s expertise and network will help enhance and develop the firm’s offering to clients.
