Worker sacked after 'lying about vaping in disabled toilets' wins £22,000 payout for unfair dismissal claim
LBC
A Nestle factory worker unfairly dismissed for allegedly lying about vaping in a disabled toilet won a £22,000 payout.Summary
Luke Billings, a technical operator at a Nestle coffee factory in Tutbury, Staffordshire, was awarded £22,216.72 after an employment tribunal ruled his dismissal was unfair. He was fired for gross misconduct after setting off the fire alarm while vaping and initially denying it, but the tribunal found Nestle had no right to fire him over the alleged lie. Billings had previously taken a year's sick leave for depression and argued inconsistent treatment compared to a colleague who also committed a health and safety breach. While his disability discrimination claim was dismissed, the tribunal determined the dismissal was outside the range of reasonable responses for a reasonable employer, leading to the compensation payout.
(Source：LBC)
