When the decision-maker's reason for dismissal is not the
real reason.
In an unfair dismissal claim, the employer must show that the
reason, or if there is more than one reason, the principal reason
for the dismissal was one of the five potentially fair reasons
(capability, conduct, redundancy, breach of a statutory duty or
"some other substantial reason"). The tribunal will make
findings about the facts which were known to the employer and the
beliefs held by the employer which caused the employee to be
dismissed.
Usually, the tribunal will only examine the knowledge and
beliefs (at the time of the decision) of the individuals who make
the decision to dismiss, for example the dismissing officer and
person hearing an appeal.
