Energy firm behind proposals to extract gas from the Island's seabed
The energy company behind plans to extract gas from the Isle of Man’s seabed, Crogga, has been ordered to pay more than £130,000 after a tribunal ruled in favour of a former director in a dispute over unpaid wages.
Diccen Sargent, who served as director and chief executive officer before leaving in March 2022, claimed he suffered unlawful deductions to his pay.
HOW DID THE DISPUTE ARISE?
In autumn 2020 Crogga directors agreed to defer their salaries during a financially challenging period.
This led to an appeal to shareholders, raising £800,000 in crisis funding.
Mr Sargent postponed his salary under the condition it would be repaid with a 15 percent uplift at the “next funding round”.
Crogga, however, contested the timeline, claiming repayment was only due after funds were raised for a 3D seismic survey as part of a £12.75 million project.
The tribunal ultimately sided with Mr Sargent, ruling the deferred salary was owed sooner.
WHAT WAS AWARDED?
Mr Sargent was awarded:
- £119,800.00 in deferred salary
- £10,000 for unused holiday pay
- £1,846.15 which equates to an additional one-weeks' pay
The tribunal ruled that the 15 percent uplift could not be classified as wages and was therefore not included in the award.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Mr Sargent has until 16 January to apply for the recovery of legal costs.
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