Lorry driver wins payout after firm failed to investigate flu claims

A lorry driver has been awarded £3,200 by the Carlisle Employment Tribunal after his employers failed to investigate claims that he was forced to drive while suffering from flu.

Driver Ralph Hedley, who was employed by logistics firm Gist, was sacked after an accident on the M6 last year despite having an unblemished record.

Hedley was suspended by the company in October and sacked after a disciplinary hearing, despite having no allegations against him.

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The tribunal chairman Ian Watt said the firm’s disciplinary hearing “failed miserably” to meet the minimum standards of fairness and reasonableness.

Hedley was awarded £3,222 by the tribunal just days after turning down a £9,000 out-of-court settlement from the company. An application for legal costs by Gist was turned down by the bench as it said the company had recognised that Hedley’s ignorance caused him to turn down the out-of-court settlement.