Fired for refusing job
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In holding that Barry-based PM Rees & Sons had dismissed one of its drivers unfairly, a Cardiff Employment Tribunal indicated that it would have awarded him more than
£7.500 in compensation.
However, the company and the driver concerned, Andrew Fry, are attempting to negotiate a private settlement.
Fry claims he was dismissed over the telephone in May after refusing to backtrack on the M4 to take over another load. Director Mark Rees had called him on his mobile phone that morning at Felixstowe docks and told him that he might have to turn around. He left Felixstowe after the call and was on his way back to Barry when, at 15:30hrs, Rees called him again and told him to meet another driver at the Chleveley Services. This would have meant turning around again to take a load from Chieveley to Tilbury Docks. Fry refused to comply, saying that he had been away all week and had a family to think of. Rees said to him: You and me are parting company." Asked If that meant he was sacked. Rees replied: "Yes."
When he went to pick up his wages the following Friday, he was given an envelope which contained his wage slip and his P45. Fry claimed there were other drivers who could have done the job.
Denying he had sacked Fry, Rees said that he had warned him about the possible turnaround that morning. Mr Fry is very well known for being hot headed," said Rees. We tried to contact him at the last address we had for him but he was not living there."