A BEAUTY therapist who was sacked and not paid for four weeks' work has been awarded almost £3,000 in unpaid wages and compensation.

An employment tribunal heard that Kate Rigby, aged 24, was employed by Karen Watson, also known as Karen Walters, as a full time beauty therapist for Euphoria Beauty in June last year.

The business, which ceased trading in January, was based above the Euphoria Hair salons in Deansgate, Bolton, and Lee Gate, Harwood, but had no connection with the hairdressing firm.

Miss Rigby, of Welham Road, Wigan, told an industrial tribunal in Manchester that when her first wages failed to appear in her bank account, she was handed an envelope stuffed with cash but no pay slip.

The following month, her wages were paid into her account but she then received nothing in August.

Miss Rigby told tribunal chairman Pauline Feeney, that Mrs Walters summoned her to a meeting at a Horwich hotel on August 31 and sacked her for not "fitting in".

Miss Rigby told the tribunal that it was alleged that complaints had been made against her - although no evidence was given by her boss to support the claims.

Despite promises to pay her, the cash never arrived.

Miss Rigby told the tribunal she discovered that other employees had also been sacked, including Mrs Watson's own daughter, and several were owed wages.

Mrs Watson was not at the the hearing. Mail sent to her last known address at Linnyshaw Close, Daubhill, had been returned.

The tribunal ruled in Miss Rigby's favour, awarding her £2,847 for unpaid wages holiday pay and compensation.

Miss Rigby continues to work as a beauty therapist.

An application by Mrs Watson for a review of an award made to another employee, Kath Hanlon, was dismissed.

Miss Hanlon, aged 41, of Leigh Road, Westhoughton, had been awarded £6,540 for unfair dismissal, unlawful deduction of wages and breach of contract in November.

Miss Hanlon is now a catering supervisor.