A Stafford-based security guard has won unfair dismissal compensation after taking his employer to tribunal.
Keith Smith lost his job after he allowed a member of the public onto a factory site following noise complaints, technically breaching health and safety law.
In addition to the compensation, which is to be decided at a later date, Mr Smith received £210 bonus pay that tribunal judge Leslie Antis thought he was entitled to.
He did warn Mr Smith, however, that he may not receive a high compensation payment despite his impeccable five year record.
He said: “The award is to be decided at a later date and we have to consider whether you contributed to the dismissal.
“If this is so this will affect the amount awarded.”
Mr Smith was dismissed by Status UK LTD trading as Vellen Guarding. Their representative at the tribunal, Fred Wilkinson said: “Mr Smith breached health and safety regulations by allowing an unauthorised member of the public onto the site.”
He continued to say in so doing, Mr Smith breached health and safety regulations which could have resulted in a serious injury to the member of the public who had complained about factory noise.
He added Mr Smith was also involved in a dispute with the cleaning staff of the factory, an allegation that he denied.
The judge ruled Mr Smith was unfairly dismissed given he was trying to help a member of the public sort out the noise problem, and suggested a settlement could be reached between the two parties without further need for tribunal rulings.
