Fired director sues Manpower

RECRUITMENT agency Manpower is facing a £700,000 damages claim from a former director who was sacked on the spot, but says he should have been given a year's notice.

Harold Wilson, director of managed services at Manpower, was dismissed in February after working at the agency for 15 months. Manpower had hired Wilson on a salary of £107,500, plus an equivalent annual bonus. He was also given other benefits, including a further bonus, stock options and life and health insurance.

However, according to a High Court writ seen by Financial Mail, Wilson's career at the American-owned company came to an end at a meeting in January. Iain Herbertson, Wilson's managing director, is alleged to have told him: 'It is not working. I think we have to part company. You will be paid everything that you are contractually entitled to.'

The writ goes on to state: 'The claimant asked if he had any choice in the matter. He was told that he did not.' Daniel Kasmir, Manpower's human resources director, was also at the meeting, according to the writ.

Wilson, of Moreton, Oxfordshire, claims that in two subsequent meetings with Kasmir in February, it was confirmed that he was entitled to be paid for his full 12-month notice period.

But in a bizarre twist, Wilson says he received a letter from Kasmir at the end of February terminating his contract with effect from the middle of the following month - just two weeks later.

This meant that, even though Manpower acknowledged it had breached Wilson's deal, it would be claiming 'mitigating' circumstances and would not pay its employee's notice period.

Wilson's solicitors claim that either way he is entitled to as much as £700,000 - either for breach of contract or damages suffered based on his salary and benefits.

A spokesman for Manpower acknowledged the claim and said: 'This matter is under discussion between the two parties. We do not think it is helpful to comment further.' Wilson could not be reached for comment.