Athlete forced to travel 800 miles for meeting that boss didn't show up for wins £149,000
Athlete forced to travel 800 miles for meeting that boss didn't show up for wins £149,000 5 hours ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Catriona Aitken BBC Wales Beth Littlewood Beth Littlewood retired from competitive canoe polo in 2024 but continues to play An athlete whose boss made her travel through the night to attend a meeting while she was at an international sports competition in Germany, only to not turn up himself, has said her £149,000 compensation is "not just about me". Beth Littlewood, a former canoe polo champion, spent years pursuing a string of grievances against Nuffield Health, the company she worked for as a personal trainer at its Bridgend gym. She said she hoped the outcome would help thousands of personal trainers (PTs) across the country. Nuffield Health said it was "committed to providing a fair and supportive working environment for all colleagues" but could not comment further due to an appeal process. Littlewood, from Bridgend, first started working for Nuffield Health in 2015. In an interview with BBC Wales following the conclusion of an employment tribunal, she said there were "multiple grievances throughout my career about pay-related issues". Early problems were more easily resolved internally, but she later felt she had no choice but to escalate her case. In July last year, an employment tribunal found Littlewood's complaints were all "well-founded". These included concerns about unauthorised deductions from her wages and holiday pay and her unfair dismissal. The published judgement detailed how, from June 2022, parts of Littlewood's pay were withheld. She submitted a grievance, which was not upheld and what followed, she said, was a series of bullying incidents, including changing rotas without clear communication, inconsistency in dealing with holiday requests, no praise for successful PT sales and a lack of promotion opportunities. In January 2023, she was told she would face disciplinary proceedings, with the firm claiming she had been submitting hours worked under an incorrect pay level, among other things. But the tribunal found this was not the case, with the judge adding: "The incidents were in the main caused by poor communication and of a trivial nature to the degree that we have concluded a reasonable employer would have dealt with as management issues. "They should never have been escalated to the degree they were. Common sense was wholly departed from." David McBay/Paddle UK Littlewood represented herself during the employment tribunal against Nuffield Health Following the disciplinary investigation, Littlewood had some time signed off sick. Over the summer of 2023, she made continued attempts to speak to managers about returning to work, but they did not engage with her. The "last straw" occurred when Littlewood travelled to Brandenburg, Germany, to compete in the European Canoe Polo Championships in September 2023. She had submitted an annual leave request to cover her time away on 7 June and b
Its unfortunate when athletes are forced to travel long distances for meetings with coaches or officials who dont show up, as it can disrupt their training and preparation. The financial compensation of 149,000 for the athletes time and expenses may not fully address the frustration and potential impact on their performance. Its important for sports organizations to prioritize athlete welfare and ensure that such situations are resolved promptly and fairly.
Its disappointing to hear about an athlete being forced to travel such a long distance for a meeting with a boss who didnt show up. The athlete likely worked hard to prepare for this opportunity, only to be let down. Its important for organizations to prioritize their employees and make sure they have the support and resources they need to perform at their best. The athletes hard work and dedication deserve recognition and support, even if the meeting didnt go as planned.
Its disappointing when athletes have to travel long distances for meetings that go nowhere. Its crucial for companies to prioritize their employees well-being and ensure they have the support they need to perform at their best. #Sports #EmployeeSupport #Fairness
Its a bit of a ridiculous situation, really. The athlete had to travel a long way to meet with a boss who didnt show up, and as a result, the athlete didnt win any money. Its kind of like if you had to travel to meet someone important, but they didnt show up, and then you didnt get the promotion or the raise you were hoping for. Its a waste of time and resources, and its not fair to the athlete.
This situation highlights the absurdities of the sports industry, where athletes are often forced to travel long distances for meetings with executives who may not show up, potentially costing them significant sums of money. It raises questions about the value and prioritization of athlete welfare versus corporate interests.
Tragic waste of resources and time. Its a reminder of the importance of accountability in corporate settings. Hopefully this case sets a precedent for better treatment of employees.
While the financial compensation may help, its disheartening to see athletes sacrifice their time and effort for meetings that dont materialize. Lets hope for better communication and accountability from all parties involved, so athletes can focus on what truly matters: their performance and their health.
Absolutely heartbreaking! Athletes and professionals deserve respect and fairness. I hope this compensation not only helps Beth but also sends a strong message to companies that value their employees time and effort. Lets all fight for better treatment and recognition in the workplace. #JusticeForAthletes #FairTreatment
Skeptic here: While accountability is key, lets not overlook the human element. This athlete sacrificed a lot for a meeting that could have been handled virtually. Maybe its time to explore more flexible work options that consider employees well-being.
Disappointing to hear about such a long journey for a meeting that went nowhere. Its great that Beth Littlewoods tribunal win could help others too. Companies must prioritize their employees well-being and productivity. #SupportEmployees #JusticeForAll
Disappointing to see athletes travel so far for meetings that dont happen. Lets demand transparency and action, not just financial compensation. #AthleteVoice #EnvironmentalJustice