A teenager who took his South Norwood employer to a tribunal over a wages row after claiming he was treated as a general dogsbody, has lost his case.

Ben Bartlett, 17, lost his court battle with boss Dave Collins, who owns construction company Hoveair, after Thursday's employment tribunal in Croydon heard he had signed a contract which stipulated the wages he was paid.

Giving evidence, the plumbing apprentice from Sutton who began his job in August 2000, told the court his boss would make him fetch his lunch and vacuum his car.

Mr Bartlett said: "I never questioned it because I was only 16 and thought that was what having a job was about.

"I accidentally trod dog muck into the carpet on a job and he took £50 from my wages for the cleaning bill. He said he was going to make an example of me."

According to Mr Bartlett his apprenticeship, which was arranged by Building Engineering Services Training (BEST) in association with Heating and Ventilating Contractors Association, was a waste of time.

Under BEST guidelines he would have been paid £3.42 per hour rising to £3.59 per hour in October. Displaying his wage slips in court Mr Bartlett claimed he was only paid £3 per hour throughout the year he was employed by Hoveair.

His counsel said: "Ben was given a memo from Dave Collins explaining that pay would continue under the current BEST guidelines.

"The company clearly represents these organisations as their vans and letterheads all have the HVCA logos."

But Mr Collins, who was not present in court, submitted a copy of the contract of employment earlier that morning.

The document, signed by Mr Bartlett, illustrated he had agreed to be paid less than the amount stipulated by the BEST rates of pay.

Earlier this week Mr Collins said: "We are a small company which has done all it can for young apprentices. Ben abused the position he was given."

Mr Barlett's father, Steve Bartlett, said after the hearing: "We don't want other employers to get away with taking advantage of young people."

November 16, 2001 17:00