Fireman receives £80,000 for unfair dismissal
26/07/2010
A fireman has received £80,000 after winning his case for unfair dismissal.
Christopher Bennett, 46, was fired after he complained about Greater Manchester Fire Service's new reclining chairs causing him pain and discomfort.
The claimant said that his arthritis of the spine was aggravated by the chairs, which were installed in 41 stations across Manchester.
After emailing other fire officers to ask whether they were suffering similar discomfort, Mr Bennett's bosses sacked him for gross misconduct.
Earlier this week, an employment tribunal ruled in favour of the fireman and awarded him £80,000 for unfair dismissal.
Fire Brigades Union official Steve Shelton said: "I always knew Chris had been treated unfairly."
This payout comes despite recent figures from the Tribunals Service revealing that the number of claims being received during the first hearing fell from 74 per cent to 65 per cent over the last year.
It also showed that unfair dismissal claims rose by nine per cent during the same period.
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