A DUDLEY medical clinic practice manager complained she was unfairly dismissed after being accused of issuing surprise bonus cheques to staff who had not expected them.

Dr Touseef Safdar who runs Central Clinic in Hall Street, Dudley, told Birmingham Employment Tribunal that Mrs Seeta Mahi had handed out the payments without authorization.

He also complained she had taken leave without permission.

But Mrs Mahi  of Wolverhampton, denied Dr Safdar’s allegations and said Dr P Brettell who  was helping Dr Safdar run the clinic at the time,  had sanctioned the bonus payments. She said he had also signed the cheques.

Nearly a dozen staff were employed at the clinic – most on a part time basis, with the tribunal told the staff had been surprised to receive the payments.

Mrs Mahi was suspended on full pay and eventually dismissed following an investigation.

She is seeking compensation against Dr Safdar following the loss of her job.
The tribunal was also told that Dr Brettell had left the clinic because of ill health and had not returned, but had since reimbursed the practice for the bonus payments paid out.

Mr John Gidney, representing Mrs Mahi, accused Dr Safdar of not inviting Mrs Mahi to her disciplinary hearing.

Dr Safdar said the clinic had already gone beyond its call of duty in helping Mrs Mahi and said two investigations had been carried out into the situation.

Tribunal judge Mr Peter Rose QC adjourned the hearing until next year for more evidence.