Boss blames staff for accountancy firm losses

Friday 21st May 2010, 2:29PM BST.

AN ACCOUNTANT blamed his staff for his failing business, an employment tribunal heard.

Karen Carre brought a claim of constructive unfair dismissal against former employer Philip Dunne, managing director of Acumen International Ltd.

She resigned at the end of January 2009 when Alison Dunne, Philip’s wife, told her the company could not pay her salary for that month or her holiday pay.

Mr Dunne did not appear at the tribunal and asked the panel, chaired by Tina Le Poidevin with members Paula Brierley and Roger Brookfield, to refer to supplied documentation.

He said there was no case because Miss Carre had resigned. He subsequently counter-claimed for £210,000 alleging that Miss Carre had lost the company clients.

The tribunal’s decision is now pending.