Finance Manager Loses Unfair Dismissal Case After Moving to France Against Employer's Wishes
Published on 08/17/2026 at 20:47 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
A finance manager has lost her unfair dismissal claim after relocating to France against her employer's explicit instructions, in a ruling that reinforces the importance of contractual work-location terms for UK businesses.
The Bristol employment tribunal sided with Teleperformance Contact, finding that Iryna Malyk's dismissal was justified after she breached both her employment contract and management orders by moving abroad.
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Contract Required UK Residency
Malyk, who worked as a European regional finance business partner for the Bristol-based firm, moved to France in July 2024. Tribunal proceedings heard that she proceeded with the relocation despite being explicitly warned that she would face dismissal if she did so.
Her employment contract specifically required her to perform her duties from a home address within the United Kingdom. Although Malyk held a remote-working role, the company maintained that the position was contingent on her remaining a UK resident for work purposes.
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Tribunal Backs Employer's Decision
Judge Hazel Oliver dismissed the unfair dismissal claim, noting that the finance manager had been given clear instructions not to work from France. Management at Teleperformance Contact had previously informed Malyk that they could not accommodate her request to work internationally, and that her continued employment depended on her staying in the UK.
The tribunal concluded that the firm acted within its rights to dismiss Malyk for failing to comply with a lawful and reasonable instruction regarding her place of work, as stipulated in her employment agreement.
The case serves as a reminder to employers that clearly defined work-location clauses can provide protection when remote-working arrangements create ambiguity over where staff are based.
