Which of the following is an example of automatically unfair dismissal?

Automatically unfair dismissal occurs in situations where an employee is dismissed for a specific reason that is considered inherently unjust, primarily related to their rights under employment law. One of these reasons includes taking paternity leave, which is protected under UK law. When an employee takes paternity leave, they are exercising their legal rights to family-related leave, and dismissing them as a result of taking this leave would be deemed automatically unfair because it directly contravenes their rights.

This protection is designed to ensure that employees can take needed time off for family responsibilities without the fear of losing their job. If an employee is dismissed solely for taking paternity leave, that dismissal fails to meet the standards of fairness expected in the workplace and reflects a disregard for the legal entitlements granted to employees regarding parental leave.

Other situations such as late arrivals, unscheduled absences, or conflicts with management do not carry the same inherent protection under employment law, making them less likely to qualify as automatically unfair dismissals. These scenarios are typically assessed under broader standards of conduct and performance rather than being strictly linked to specific statutory rights, meaning they do not invoke the same level of protection.