Background:

In March 2020, at the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Complainant contacted her former employer to ascertain her position and what the plans were for the Health Store. It was agreed that the Complainant and Colleague A would be “laid off” and another colleague would do the work herself. This arrangement suited the Complainant who then decided to apply for the pandemic unemployment payment.

On 11th April 2020, the Complainant discovered a new employee started working in the shop. The Complainant had a heated phone call with the Respondent whereby the Respondent indicted the Complainant had effectively left her employment. Thereafter, the Complainant unsuccessfully sought clarification of her employment status. By this stage, the Respondent’s shop was