GMB condemns ‘callous' DHL sickness role
GMB condemns ‘callous’ DHL sickness role
The union GMB has called on management at parcels firm DHL to apologise publicly to the family of one of its employees who it says was 'callously sacked for suspected malingering or unauthorised absence' when he was suffering from a disorder that caused him to become confused and which led to his death.
Bernard Doherty, who was aged 60, was employed by DHL at the Nine Elms depot in London. He was off sick and advised the company by phone of his illness. He was on his way to post a doctor’s certificate to the company when he went missing. He turned up subsequently at his brother's house but did not know where he had been or how he had got to the house. He was admitted to hospital and died on 18 July 2005.
GMB says it appears DHL assumed Mr Doherty was either malingering or taking unauthorised absence when in fact he was terminally ill. DHL dismissed him when they did not receive the sick note - which the company says was never received - or replies to correspondence they had sent to his home while he was missing.
Mick Rix, GMB national officer for DHL, said the company should have made enquiries about Mr Doherty’s health. He added: 'I call on DHL management to apologise to the family and to give the GMB an assurance the nothing like this will happen again. It is to DHL's shame that they sacked one of their employees when in fact it turns out he was terminally ill.'
Stay Updated
Want to hear about our latest news and blogs?
Sign up now to get it straight to your inbox