A truck driver, who claimed he sometimes worked over 105 hours a week for a Co Wexford company before he was unfairly dismissed, has been awarded €18,000 compensation.
The driver, Mr Philip Neil Hodgson, Gleann na Smól, Old Bawn, Tallaght, Dublin, was awarded the compensation by an Employment Appeals Tribunal after it heard his case against Nolan Transport (Oaklands) Ltd, Oaklands, New Ross.
The tribunal heard Mr Hodgson began working as a long-distance lorry driver for the company in 1998. In June 2001 after a day on the road he approached his employer to talk about handing in his notice. He said the reason he wanted to leave was because his work kept him away from home. He wanted to be based in Dublin. His boss told him to get out of the yard and threatened to hit him. He had to get a Garda escort to retrieve his personal items from his truck.
The company was not represented at the tribunal.
In a separate, reserved decision by the tribunal yesterday, €10,046 compensation was awarded to Ms Christina Ryan, Harcourt Green, Dublin, who was unfairly dismissed by Mr Peter McDonnell, a solicitor, Inns Court, Winetavern Street. The company accepted she had been unfairly dismissed.
In another case a man, who was told he would not be taken back by his employer after he took sick leave to recover from an accident at work, was awarded €20,000 compensation. Mr Robert O'Neill, Knockcarragh, Ballyduff Upper, Waterford, was employed by Sam Shire Service Recycling Ltd, Lower Main Street, Cappoquin, to dismantle pallets. In June 2001 he broke his finger in an accident at work. When he was fit to return he rang the company and was told things were slack and there would be no work for a month. When the month was up he rang again and was told he would not be taken back.
The company told the tribunal Mr O'Neill was employed on a contract basis until the company was advised by its accountants and auditors that it should cease having workers on a contact basis.