Tribunal Rules Engineer Was Fairly Dismissed After Double-Time Claim.

An engineer who claimed a full day’s wages at double time after travelling to Penrith to shop and have lunch has been fairly dismissed, an employment tribunal has ruled.

The case centred on the engineer’s actions after he was told that he was not required for work. Instead of returning as expected, he travelled to Penrith, where he spent time shopping and having lunch. The engineer later sought payment equivalent to a full working day at double-time rates, despite not carrying out the expected work during that period. The dispute eventually resulted in an employment tribunal hearing over the circumstances surrounding his dismissal.

The tribunal considered the events and the employer’s reasons for taking disciplinary action. Following its assessment, it concluded that the dismissal had been fair, meaning the employer had acted within the circumstances when ending the engineer’s employment.

The case highlights the importance of employees following workplace instructions, particularly when arrangements change and they are told that their services are not required. It also demonstrates how disagreements over working hours, pay and conduct can develop into formal employment disputes.

The tribunal’s decision provides a reminder that employees and employers both have responsibilities when dealing with changes to working arrangements. Claims for additional or enhanced pay can also be closely examined where the employee has not carried out the work associated with the claimed hours. The case is another example of how employment tribunals assess the circumstances surrounding a dismissal, including an employee’s conduct and the employer’s reasons for taking action.

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