Driver refuses rain delivery
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AN INDUSTRIAL Tribunal at Carlisle last week found that a lorry driver had been unfairly dismissed after refusing to do work in the rain. He was 29-year-old William Eldon, of Newtown, Frizington, West Cumberland, who was awarded £100 compensation from his former employers, Dent Aerated Water Company of Cleator Moor, West Cumberland.
Mr Eldon said he had been delivering beer and mineral waters by lorry in February and was soaked by the rain as he unloaded at the depot. A partner in the firm, Mr Alan Casson, had sent a note for a further delivery which Mr Eldon refused.
Mr Casson told the Tribunal he personally made two further requests to Mr Eldon to go out with the delivery and each time he refused. He then said Mr Eldon would be dismissed if he did not make the delivery.
Mr Eldon also said that at the time of the request it was raining and he had pointed out that there was less than an hour before finishing time and the order could be delivered next morning. He did not know, however, that the delivery was for a club only 150 yards away.
The Tribunal Chairman, Sir John Ainley, said that Mr Eldon's 14 years' trouble-free service with the firm should have been taken into consideration.
He added that this was a situation which called for tact and diplomacy and they had not been displayed at that time.