An experienced estate agent has been awarded more than £21,000 in compensation after an employment tribunal found he was effectively demoted by being given a desk that did not reflect his seniority.
Nicholas Walker, 53, resigned from his role as a senior negotiator at Robsons Estate Agents in Hertfordshire after being asked to sit at a desk typically used by junior staff. He claimed the change undermined his authority — and the tribunal agreed.
The dispute centred around a decision to place Walker at a ‘middle’ desk, rather than the ‘back’ desk, which was traditionally reserved for the branch manager. Walker, who previously held that managerial position, saw the desk reassignment as a clear symbol of demotion.
The tribunal heard that when Walker raised concerns about the desk arrangement, Daniel Young, the company’s sales director, reportedly remarked that he couldn’t believe “a man of his age” would be making a fuss over seating — a comment the tribunal viewed as dismissive.
However, employment judge Akua Reindorf ruled in Walker’s favour, stating that assigning senior employees to desks associated with junior roles could amount to constructive dismissal.
He concluded that asking senior staff to sit in a part of the office that they argue is designed for junior employees could “logically” lead them to conclude that they have been demoted.
That type of office seating arrangement could “destroy or seriously damage” a senior employee’s relationship with bosses and lead to a successful legal claim, the tribunal ruled.
The tribunal, held in Watford, heard that Walker had served as branch manager at Robsons from 2017, initially based in Rickmansworth. In 2022, he was relocated to the Chorleywood branch, only to be asked to return to Rickmansworth in 2023 after his replacement resigned.
However, upon returning, Walker was told he would now share managerial duties with a more junior colleague – a change not communicated to him in advance. The colleague, Matthew Gooden, had already claimed the back desk, leaving Walker with the middle one.
Walker viewed the arrangement as effectively placing him in an assistant manager position – a title he had never held and did not accept. The tribunal ultimately agreed with his assessment.
In its ruling, the tribunal found that Robsons’ actions constituted a breach of the implied term of mutual trust and confidence, and Walker’s resignation was deemed a case of constructive unfair dismissal.
The judge concluded that the desk placement and lack of communication regarding changes to his role were enough to justify his departure. As a result, Walker was awarded £21,000 in compensation.
Robsons Estate Agents has not publicly commented on the ruling.
