Home News Columnists Ian Robson
Moan could cost a job
Jul 25 2010 by Ian Robson, Sunday Sun
HAD a good moan about the boss lately or just asked a question management takes exception to? Then watch out, my friend, because you could get a P45 for your trouble.
I was astonished to hear about the fireman who got £80,000 because he was sacked for asking colleagues if new reclining chairs were hurting their backs.
Not because he got the payout from an employment tribunal but because he was sacked in the first place.
Chris Bennett, who suffers from arthritis of the spine, appears to have simply asked a question but bosses dismissed him for gross misconduct. He was accused of soliciting support against the service he worked for.
In other words, bosses said he was disloyal and did not toe the company line.
And all he did was ask if new reclining chairs, meant to replace beds used by firefighters on night shift, were causing back pain.
His employers either must have thin skins or think that they own their workers body and soul.
New corporate thinking dictates that anyone with a dissenting voice brings the company into disrepute.
Nonsense. One thing that does bring the company into disrepute - in this case Greater Manchester Fire Service – is an over-zealous response to genuine discussion.
The tribunal had the good sense to see that and awarded suitable compensation. It’s a bad boss who can’t take a bit of criticism.
Page 2 - Who’s the boss? >>
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