AN Evesham horticultural nursery owner has successfully opposed compensation claims by his former general manager after they fell out following a clash over holidays.

Mr Steven Jacobs of The Elms, Throckmorton, told a Birmingham employment tribunal he resigned as general manager at Mulu Nurseries Ltd., Evesham, because he could no longer work there following the row - causing his claim for constructive dismissal and breach of contract.

Mr Jacobs started working for Mr Andy Bateman at the Mulu Nurseries in 2003 as a nursery assistant and was eventually promoted to general manager.

Mr Bateman ran the nursery and he and his wife were shareholders - employing up to eight people in season.

The Tribunal heard how Mr Bateman and Mr Jacobs got on so well together that the owner indicated at one stage he might give Mr Jacobs some shares in the business.

The relationship continued until Mr Jacobs discovered his request for a two-week holiday had been reduced to one week by Mr Bateman because it clashed with his own holidays, the tribunal was told.

Mr Jacobs then had some time off with illness and when he returned an argument broke out between the two men, it was said.

Mr Bateman withdrew his shares offer and Mr Jacobs put his complaints in writing. He later resigned after complaining he could no longer work there.

Tribunal chairman Mr Charles Goodier said that although there were no written terms of employment for Mr Jacobs, Mr Bateman was a hard-working employer who meant well.

As a result both claims by Mr Jacobs were rejected by the tribunal.

As the two men left, they hugged each other. But both Mr Jacobs and Mr Bateman declined to say whether they would be working together again.