Ask Me Help Desk - Suing for duress

I am considering suing my employer for duress and would like to know if I would get very far. I have worked for him since June 06 I drive a concrete mixer. In feb this year I made a mistake which resulted in a load of concrete being wasted.The total amounted to just short of £500. Two months later I received an invoice from my employer which stated I was liable to pay this. I believe that I am not as it is not written in my contract that we as drivers are responsible. I also have not sighned anything during my time with him that makes me liable. He is insisting I pay this and is now adding 5% interest evry month until I do pay the full amount. THis has created a lot of stress as I have a young family.

Quote:

Originally Posted by anniec

iam considering suing my employer for duress and would like to know if i would get very far. I have worked for him since june 06 i drive a concrete mixer. In feb this year i made a mistake which resulted in a load of concrete being wasted.The total amounted to just short of £500. Two months later i recieved an invoice from my employer which stated i was liable to pay this. I believe that iam not as it is not written in my contract that we as drivers are responsible. I also have not sighned anything during my time with him that makes me liable. He is insisting i pay this and is now adding 5% interest evry month until i do pay the full amount. THis has created alot of stress as i have a young family.

You are obviously in the UK - I would ask an Attorney for advice. I believe the interest rate is WAY above what is legal and have no idea what is the standard in your profession.

Are you still employed by this person?

You said you made a mistake and a load got wasted. Who do you think should pay for your mistake? Your company? Not unless they have a signed employee contract saying you are responsible for paying for your "mistakes". But now a days, you just might be out of a job and still have to pay for your mistakes. Judy's advice is correct about contacting an attorney on this one.