Worker sacked by M&S for revelation

Sep 4 2008 by Iain Laing, The Journal

A WORKER at Marks & Spencer who was suspended after revealing plans to cut redundancy pay to staff has been sacked.

The man faced a three-hour disciplinary hearing on Monday, at which he was represented by the GMB union, and was told to return yesterday to hear the outcome.

The GMB said the man, who worked at the company’s head office, was told he was being dismissed for gross misconduct. He contacted the media last month after the company told staff it planned to cut redundancy payouts.

M&S changed its original proposals after consultation with staff but has still reduced redundancy pay. An employee will now receive a maximum of 62 weeks’ pay rather than the previous 70, although this is more than the original proposal of 52 weeks.

An M&S spokesman confirmed the man had been dismissed after a disciplinary hearing and said there were three main reasons.

“He broke the company’s rules and regulations and deliberately leaked internal company information and made derogatory and speculative comments to the media, despite a variety of internal routes available to address any concerns. Thirdly, we cannot be confident that he will not disclose information in this way again.”

The company said it did not regard the case as whistle-blowing because it did not believe it was doing anything wrong.

The GMB, which is appealing against the decision, said the man had been told he would receive only the eight days’ holiday pay he was owed – £1,200 – though he had 25 years’ service.

Maria Ludkin, the GMB’s legal officer who represented the man at the disciplinary hearing, said: “This is a gross act of corporate bullying.

“The disappointing part of today’s decision is that M&S head of global HR, John Wareham, stated that the 25-year long service of this employee is totally irrelevant to the decision to sack him.”