The claimant was employed as a Day Care Assistant. As was standard practice (although criticised by the tribunal), on one particular occasion the claimant left the place of employment with a sum of £500 cash paid by a parent to cover childcare fees. The claimant, however, subsequently lost the money which then formed the basis of the disciplinary procedure and the ultimate decision to dismiss her. 

The tribunal was sure that the initial letter inviting the claimant to the disciplinary hearing did not warn that dismissal was being contemplated. As well as this, whilst the employer arranged for the meeting to take place only the day after it sent the invitation letter, the claimant requested that the meeting take