Pilot who provided fake reference from Star Wars villain ordered to repay training costs

Francis-McGann v West Atlantic UK Ltd ET/1303361/2017

Mr Francis-McGann, a pilot, successfully applied for a position as a captain with West Atlantic. He received training, signing an agreement that he would repay training costs if his employment lasted less than six months.

However, it subsequently became clear that the pilot had lied in his application. He claimed that he had worked as a captain, when his previous roles had been as first officer.

In Francis-McGann v West Atlantic UK Ltd, the employment tribunal ordered a pilot to repay £4,725 in training costs after it emerged that he provided a fake reference using the name of a character from Star Wars.

This article highlights the key facts behind the ruling, giving HR and compliance professionals a clear view of how misleading information during recruitment can lead to serious legal and financial consequences.

Explore the circumstances of the case, the tribunal’s reasoning, and why it serves as a reminder of the importance of rigorous background checks, transparent hiring practices and robust employment agreements.

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