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Pollock (Scotrans) demonstrates remarkable insensitivity' to driver
Page 11
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By Chris Tindatl THE DIRECTOR OF haulier Pollock (Scotrans) showed "callous disregard" for an employee's feelings after he was refused time off to grieve for his brother's death, says an employment tribunal.
Scott Pollock also displayed "remarkable insensitivity" for reneging on a deal to allow HGV driver Norman Ewens time off to pay his last respects.
Pollock's actions towards Ewens and demands he work excessive hours led to a recurrence of psoriasis and affected his ability to start a new job after he resigned. The tribunal also heard how Ewens, who was based at Worksop, Nottinghamshire, worked more than 70-hour weeks, and when he expressed concerns over his fatigue, he was told to "just do it".
The company's response was also to put the phone down when Ewens complained.
When Ewens' brother Alistair, who also worked for the firm, died in March 2007, the company agreed to Ewens working that week before taking the weekend and the following Thursday afternoon off.
But Ewens' grief meant he asked to be excused from work early, which was refused. He was also ordered to work on the afternoon he was supposed to be attending the chapel of rest.
For the firm, which boasts of its "professionalism with excellence of service", Ian Randall said Pollock (Scotrans) was under pressure to move goods and that Ewens was not working excessive hours. He also claimed that just because an employer was brusque, it did not amount to bullying.
Employment tribunal judge June Cape disagreed. She said Ewens' "concerns were dismissed in a bullying fashion". She added: "The respondent showed remarkable insensitivity to the claimant's situation and the potential effects on his health, which was characteristic of their attitude."
Cape ordered Pollock (Scotrans) to pay Ewens £5,765 in lost earnings and future losses.
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