Sacked then made to walk 25 miles - legality?

[matchmaker]

Scenario - staff are picked up in their home town and bussed 25 miles to their remote worksite. During the course of the working day one is sacked and told to leave the site. They are expected to make their own way home - the nearest public transport is 5 miles away. Is this legal?

[davepoth]

I'd think if it was gross misconduct that led to the sacking it probably would be - you lose all work benefits.

[Anthony Micallef]

My wife who's a senior HR Manager says that there's nothing wrong with this as it's not the employers responsibility how they get home.

[TurricanII]

As bad as it sounds the employee could use the ubiquitous mobile phone to call a taxi.

Could the employee not ask to use a phone/speak to a colleague to ring a taxi?

I have given a sackee a lift home when they were let go on amicable grounds of not meeting the criteria set out in writing before they started the six month trial.

If the employee was grossly negligent however then I would probably let them use the phone before escorting them from the premesis!

[Munter]

TurricanII said:

As bad as it sounds the employee could use the ubiquitous mobile phone to call a taxi.

That was my thought as well. 118118 can you put me through to a local taxi company. Ta.

[matchmaker]

Munter said:

TurricanII said:

As bad as it sounds the employee could use the ubiquitous mobile phone to call a taxi.

That was my thought as well. 118118 can you put me through to a local taxi company. Ta.

Not when you are in the arse end of nowhere with no cellular coverage!

[Eric Mc]

What is their official place of work?

[matchmaker]

Eric Mc said:

What is their official place of work?

The remote site. You are not allowed to make your own way there - you must go on the company-supplied transport.

[no comment]

matchmaker said:

Eric Mc said:

What is their official place of work?

The remote site. You are not allowed to make your own way there - you must go on the company-supplied transport.

Err, what?

[dudleybloke]

its not fruit picking is it?

[matchmaker]

no comment said:

matchmaker said:

Eric Mc said:

What is their official place of work?

The remote site. You are not allowed to make your own way there - you must go on the company-supplied transport.

Err, what?

On the company bus! And it's not fruit picking.

[dudleybloke]

military/defence type workplace?

[Eric Mc]

matchmaker said:

Eric Mc said:

What is their official place of work?

The remote site. You are not allowed to make your own way there - you must go on the company-supplied transport.

If they insist they take you to the workplace and do not allow you to make your own travel arrangements, then common sense would imply they must also take you back - whatever the circumstances.

[matchmaker]

dudleybloke said:

military/defence type workplace?

Nothing as exotic - a holiday complex.

[69 coupe]

matchmaker said:

Nothing as exotic - a holiday complex.

Butlitz?

[MonkeyHanger]

There could be insurance issues if the Transport is "Employees only".

[rog007]

It would probably not be considered best practice; but as deed is now done, a short letter to the company, copied to any umbrella organisation representing that sector, may get you an apology and a bunch of flowers (or some new flip flops), assuming the complainant hadn't chinned the boss or something similarly serious. Good luck!

[fatboy69]

Holiday complex - remote site?????

Please explain. Siberia perhaps?

[Steffan]

Eric Mc said:

matchmaker said:

Eric Mc said:

What is their official place of work?

The remote site. You are not allowed to make your own way there - you must go on the company-supplied transport.

If they insist they take you to the workplace and do not allow you to make your own travel arrangements, then common sense would imply they must also take you back - whatever the circumstances.

I agree with EricM common sense implies there must be a duty of care to an employee sacked 25 miles from home without transport.

One of the delights of English law is that common sense and fairness does filter through. No tribunal would like this.

I think you may well have redress against your former employer. I would make the point and challenge them.

[matchmaker]

Better make clear that I was not the sacked one!