Courts / Ireland / Report
Bus operator Go-Ahead ordered to reinstate depot supervisor
2023-06-21
Hearing Or Decision
Summary
Go‑Ahead Ireland was ordered by the Workplace Relations Commission to re‑hire depot supervisor Robert Newton after he was dismissed for alleged gross misconduct following a dispute with control‑room staff over a lost driver. Newton claimed he did not use the word "dickhead" as alleged, but admitted he lost his composure after being provoked on 18 August 2022. He said he was publicly criticised and shouted at by the control‑room manager and two other staff, who he said added to the belittling. The company's legal representative argued the dismissal was a reasonable sanction, while Newton's union representative highlighted procedural flaws and a lack of consistency. The tribunal found the dismissal unfair, noted Newton's contribution to the incident, and ordered Go‑Ahead to re‑engage him as a depot supervisor, treating the nine months of dismissal as unpaid suspension.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Bus operator Go-Ahead ordered to reinstate depot supervisor. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- 18 August Other
- 2023-06-21 Publication
Why: The company's legal representative said the control room manager told Mr Newton he "should not have assigned an untrained driver" and that the control room staff could no longer guide drivers on their routes because of capacity issues. CNI source report
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