Emmerdale fans were left fuming as Tom King managed to swindle his way back into work. Tom had been on suspension after Belle’s allegations against him became public knowledge – with bosses Paddy, Vanessa and Rhona believing her without hesitation.
However, Tom wouldn’t take losing his job lying down – first threatening to sue for unfair dismissal, and then threatening Paddy. Last Friday’s episode saw Tom tell Paddy that he’d air all the vets’ dirty laundry if he didn’t get his job back.
Chief among his employers’ supposed crimes was their not charging the Dingles for their bills. This, Tom felt would surely destroy the business if people found out. And it seems Paddy agreed, as Tom was back to work at the surgery this week.
In last night’s episode (airing Thursday, November 22), Tom clashed with Vanessa, who was not best pleased to be working with an abuser again.
Emmerdale fans confused as Tom muscles back into work
As these scenes aired, fans were left wondering how Tom managed to get his job back in the first place. And several pointed out that, actually, that’s not how the law works.
“I wish the writers understood employment law. The vet can get rid of Tom for no reason, so long as it’s not for a protected characteristic (i.e his gender, sexuality, ethnicity etc) if he’s been there under two years. There is no reason they have to put up with him,” one fan pointed out on Reddit.
“That’s not fraud. Paddy is a co-owner. He can charge what he wants. All the more reason to tell Tom to [bleep] off,” another fan said, pointing out a flaw in Tom’s blackmail of Paddy.
“Even if they needed a reason [to fire Tom] they can easily just go ‘we’re worried about our finances so we let go Tom and Ella’,” a third viewer suggested.
“His intimidating behaviour alone should be enough to get rid of him,” said a fourth.
Read more: Who’s leaving Emmerdale? All the cast exits, arrivals and returns
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm, with an early release on ITVX at 7am.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.
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