Tribunal rules that collapsed DIY chain "failed to fully consult" with trade union Unite when it let employees go last year, meaning around 1,500 former Focus store workers could be in line for compensation.
The tribunal in Manchester saw ex-employees awarded 90 days pay, after it was found that Focus had not held consultations with trade union Unite when it went into administration last May, therefore breaching legal requirements.

However, the maximum the Redundancy Payments Office can pay out is 56 days, so Unite is now appealing for the employees to get in touch to see if they are eligible of the full payout, which could be as much as £2,500 each.

Unite regional officer Caroline Crolley said of the ruling: "At the Manchester employment tribunal last week, Unite was successful in winning a protective award for employees made redundant by the closure of 123 stores at Focus DIY. The judgement of the tribunal was that all employees who were store workers made redundant by Focus in a store employing 20 staff or more should be awarded 90 days compensation."

She added that former employees should contact her at Unite on 01902 426434 to give their details and find out if they could be in line to pocket a payout of as much as £2,500.

Despite administrator Ernst & Young being responsible for axing staff when the DIY chain collapsed last year, it is the taxpayer who will have to foot the bill for the compensation payout, leading union officials to call on Government to alter insolvency laws and making administrators more accountable.