Fired for false log entry
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A LORRYORIVER who was sacked after falsifying his log sheets one night was not unfairly dismissed, a Manchester Industrial Tribunal ruled.
Mr Cyril Jones was fired by Tesco Stores Ltd after he claimed he had stayed overnight in Ferrybridge when he spent the night at his home in Manchester.
The Tribunal heard that Mr Jones had taken a load to the North-east. On his return he stopped at Ferrybridge where he intended to stay overnight. He locked his vehicle and completed his log records.
But when he phoned his wife he found there was serious trouble concerning his daughter so he decided to return home that evening.
After unsuccessfully trying to get a lift on a wet and wintry night he decided to drive his vehicle nearer home. He parked at the Harts Road service area from where he obtained a lift.
Mr Jones had not exceeded his permitted hours but he did not amend his records. On his return to the depot he failed to report the matter and drew an overnight allowance of E11.50.
That would have been the enc of the matter but his vehicle was seen by a Department of Transport official in a silent check and when his records were examined the falsification was revealed.
In the company's conditions oi employment falsification of log sheets was one of the offences set out as justifying summary dismassal. It was an offence that was properly regarded by the company as a serious one which could affect its 0-licence.
There was no doubt that Mr Jones was a fully experienced hgv driver at a depot where there were 27 such drivers and he knew that a falsification of his daily sheets justified instant dismissal.
It was argued on his behalf that the penalty imposed was too severe in the circumstances and that the matter could have been dealt with either by suspension or by final warning.
The Tribunal said that whatever alternative course was open to management they were fully justified in treating the offence as so serious as to merit instant dismissal.
The Tribunal said it was unfortunate that Mr Jones, who had been an hgv driver for 22 years with a good record, should have placed his job in such jeopardy by his conduct.
But, in rejecting his claim for unfair dismissal, it said it saw the necessity for Tesco to maintain the strictest possible compliance with the statutory requirements imposed on it by the law.