Compensation cut
Page 8
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A LORRY DRIVER who was dismissed after a tachograph chart revealed a time and mileage discrepancy has had his compensation reduced by 90 per cent on the grounds of contributory fault.
A Leeds • industrial tribunal was told that the driver, B. Geary, of H. P. Bulmer Ltd, had been paid for two and a quarter hours overtime on September 15 when 40 minutes of that time had been spent on his own personal business. Mr Geary had submitted a claim for 10 and a quarter hours but his tachograph chart revealed a descrepancy for 10km and 40 minutes which had been, put down as "other duties".
When tackled about the matter Mr Geary said he had spent part of the time having his vehicle repaired at the Transfleet Garage in Wakefield. The service manager there said that the vehicle had never been in for repair that day and it transpired that Mr Geary later asked the service manager to submit an invoice indicating that the vehicle had been in. He said he was in trouble at work and it would cause problems if no invoice was submitted.
A disciplinary meeting was held on Spetember 21 and Mr Geary then said that he had met his daughter coming out of school in Morley and taken her home before returning to the depot at about 4.15pm. However the deputy headmaster told the company that there was no record of the child having left before 3.45pm.
The company said that it had installed tachographs in its vehicles in September to enable the drivers to get used to them but they had the option of using the tachograph or log sheets.
The tribunal said that as Mr Geary has worked with the company since 1968 and that this was his first offence, they felt the company had been too severe in dismissing him.
Mr Geary was awarded a total of £227 in compensation.