Just read this in the local rag: http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/16359961.sacked-after-44-yearsover-taking-a-break/
I was just curious if anyone could provide a bit more context to how this sort of situation would normally be handled and if anything was handled incorrectly here? Seems strange to prevent a safety-critical member of staff from taking a break - we've seen before what happens when safety-critical workers are made to forgo their breaks.A SIGNALMAN who had worked on the railway for 44 years has been sacked over a 20 minute break.
Peter Lee, 60, from Littlehampton started working for the railway at age 16, but was sacked after taking the break as it meant he was disobeying a direct order.
Mr Lee took his employer Network Rail to a grievance procedure in 2015, winning the right to an uninterrupted 20 minute meal break – and has been receiving them ever since.
But when Mr Lee checked the rota four days before his shift in January this year, he realised there was no one to replace him.
“When I found out there was no one on the rota I told them that I needed my break.
“And again, on the day I advised them that I was going to take the break.”
Mr Lee said that after making safety assurances he went to take the break - but was suspended on the spot, and subsequently sacked....
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