Unfair sack
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DELIVERY MAN Ian Gibson did not deliver the goods in time for an emergency order and was sacked. But an industrial tribunal in Glasgow ruled that he was unfairly dismissed from AEL Cables.
It ordered the company to pay more than £200 compensation — a reduced award because it decided he was 75 per cent responsible for his own dismissal.
A company called Fotheringham contacted AEL Cables on individually trailers for the delivery of standard cables for the following day. Mr Gibson returned from holiday the following day to be given the cable to be delivered no later than 10am.
But he did not leave the depot until seven minutes before the cable was due at Fotheringham's. On the way he made a detour to a garage for diesel, and made two other deliveries before arriving at Fotheringham's at 10.40am.
The company made a strong complaint to depot supervisor Clifford Gough and when the driver returned he was interviewed and then dismissed.
The tribunal decided to accept Gibson's evidence that he probably did need to get fuel first and that it was a matter of judgment as to whether he should go straight to Fotheringham's with his urgent delivery or carry out the two other deliveries first.