A former canoe polo champion and personal trainer, Beth Littlewood from Bridgend, has been awarded around £149,000 in compensation following a series of employment tribunal findings against Nuffield Health.

The tribunal upheld multiple complaints brought by Littlewood relating to her treatment while employed at the company’s Bridgend gym, including issues such as unauthorised deductions from wages, disputes over holiday pay, and what was ultimately ruled to be unfair dismissal.

The case highlighted a breakdown in communication and escalating workplace tensions from 2022 onwards, including allegations of bullying behaviour, inconsistent handling of rotas and leave requests, and a lack of professional support following her grievances.

A key incident involved Littlewood travelling to compete in an international canoe polo championship in Germany, during which she was told she had to attend an urgent meeting in Wales.Despite her annual leave request having been submitted months earlier, she was not properly informed of its status until she was already abroad.She undertook an 800-mile overnight journey back to attend the meeting, only to discover that the manager who summoned her was not present.

The tribunal judge described aspects of her treatment as “wholly unreasonable” and criticised the employer’s handling of communication and management processes.

It was also found that her holiday pay had not been calculated in accordance with proper guidelines, suggesting wider systemic issues affecting personal trainers’ pay structures.Littlewood represented herself throughout the lengthy legal process, describing it as extremely stressful but ultimately worthwhile.

She stated that her aim was not only personal compensation but also to establish a precedent that could benefit thousands of personal trainers across the UK.She hopes the ruling will prompt wider changes in how holiday pay and employment practices are handled within the fitness industry.Nuffield Health said it was disappointed with the decision and is considering an appeal.