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[hotel21]

A friend of ours has a son in his late 30's.  Some would say that he is 'touched' but the reality is, he has a mental age of perhaps 10 or 12.  Powerfull lad, polite, well brought up, but is very much what is called kindly up this way, the daft laddie.

He has worked at a local Ford dealership for the past 15 years for 3 days a week, sweeping up, emptying bins, generally tidying up and hanging off the end of breaker bars when asked.  he is well looked after by the guys in the workshop and very much considered part of the fixtures and fittings.

On Friday, he was called into the workshop managers office and told that he is being, effectively, sacked.  Apparently Elf and Softy have done an inspection and are fearfull of both his and other workpersons safety as he does not have a 'one to one' overseer.

Now, during the past 15 years, there has not been the slightest problem either with him, or others, safetyand indeed, he is very much part of the team.

Whats very much the unknown is, is this just a ploy by management to save less than £100 a week or does health and safety really have that much of a say so?  either way, to me, its a very sad reflection on our current society that this lad who no fault of his own, is able to get himself back and forward to a place of work on public transport and feel that he is a part of society and earn a wage, rather than be incumbent on the state?

Miffed?  Me?  Just a tad..... 

[Mysteryman]

He MUST have some kind of rights...surely?  If his hours are more than 16 per week, he is classed as full time. I'm sure an employment tribunal would take his side. Although, I suspect, his self esteem and well-being will be badly affected.

[Jimbob]

Yes, a sad state of affairs 

the value of employing him must be much more than his wages.

[unlucky alf]

I would certainly insist on seeing the H&S report that lists this as an issue, if it does exist i would then have a chat with C,A,B to find out if the H&S jobsworth has overstepped his/her authority as that is just plain petty & some might say discrimatory.(if thats the word im looking for)

[Mr Skrunts]

Either way, this is sad news.  Chances are it could well be a health and safety thing, if so there will be a report and I reckon the family should asl to see it.

If there is not a report and Ford have used this to move him on then I hope the batsards get what's coming to them.

All the best to the lad for the future, 

[Varche]

I agree on the face of it a sad reflection on society. We are all lucky to be alive and lucky not to have been born into the squalor and horror of a thgird world country.

it doesn't take much to help out someone else less well off.

[Ken T]

Has someone mentioned this to the local paper ?. A mention of this certainly won't help Ford's reputation locally. I'm sure the dealership could sort something out if they really wanted to.


People in the Highlands have long memories. 


Ken

[waspy]

That is a shame. When he's earning a wage & has the feeling that he is somebody.
I know that feeling all to well, but i can't comprehend what he must think & feel.
I too would like to see the revelant paper work to back up such a decesion.

[Entwood]

Crying shame ..

Probably triggered by some numpty lawyer type doing the "what if" scenario and deciding "what if" there was an incident and "we" were sued.

Easier to use the H&S "get out" than actually do something positive.

As already said ... let the local paper(s) know .. surprising what a bit of "bad publicity" can do to these idiots.

[Omegatoy]

having worked in the trade for many years i can tell you that this is surprisingly common having a slightly disabled person to do the oddjobs around the place, however put your thinking caps on guys!! 100 perweek isnt even what they used to call petty cash to a dealership, its simply throwaway money which is what they pay the guy, however the dreaded health and safety idiots are affecting a whole lot of this type of employment by insisting on stupid rules like this, good grief it drives me mad!!! I am so glad im here, h and t would have heart attacks in spain, as an example the track that leads to Varches place would be closed because its not safe for vehicles!! as they must cross a water runoff area and the turn to Varches is very very tight with no barriers along the whole of the way, never mind that its been used this way for god knows how many years!!

[Elite Pete]

Thats appalling

Check with the CAB and this

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/RightsAndObligations/DisabilityRights/DG_4001068

[CaptainZok]

Does the Disability Discrimination Act not apply on your side of the wall then?

[Vamps]

He MUST have some kind of rights...surely?  If his hours are more than 16 per week, he is classed as full time. I'm sure an employment tribunal would take his side. Although, I suspect, his self esteem and well-being will be badly affected.

I hate having to agree with STMO but he is right...
Sounds to me like this chap has a 'Learning Disability' ( I am not making a diagnosis, just taking a guess, given the description) and there is a Government Policy to get more disabled, including Learning disabilities, into some for of work, even part time, as your friend is doing. If nothing else it helps a persons own self worth and helps to develop confidence, knowing that a person is positively contributing to society...

This needs looking into further, CAB first port of call, also does this chap have any 'professional' oversight from a Social Worker, if so give them a shout......

In the back of my mind there is something about Learning Mentors in such situations, which may be what the elf and softy lot are getting at, either way this chap needs an Advocate to look into this, and don't forget the  new Disability Discrimination Act...this sort of thing makes my blood boil

I will see if I can find anything out when I go to work tomorrow...

[Elite Pete]

Does the Disability Discrimination Act not apply on your side of the wall then?

I did a load of DDA work on the Western Isles a couple of years ago

[Tony H]

What a sad situation, it's a typical action by the the management not looking at the "bigger picture" I hope everything works out for the lad. I have a relative who specialises in employment law, I'll run this case by him and p.m. you his opinion