Man wins compensation for unfair dismissal

A 50-year-old man was awarded almost €7,000 in compensation after he was unfairly dismissed by a logistics company two years ago.

The former operations clerk, Louis Camilleri, was fired by Arrow Express Ltd in February 2007 after he allegedly failed to obey his superiors, challenged customers and spoke to the sales manager in an aggressive manner.

The case first came before an Industrial Tribunal, which found that he was justifiably dismissed. Mr Camilleri appealed the decision.

The Appeals Court heard that the company had referred to a specific incident when Mr Camilleri was particularly rude to customers over the phone when he refused to alter an invoice. However, Mr Camilleri denied he was rude or that anything of the sort had happened.

The court, presided over by Mr Justice Phillip Sciberras, found that he had been unfairly dismissed because he did not have a record as negative as that portrayed by the company. The incident, the court added, was not enough to justify firing him.

The proceedings were sent back to another Industrial Tribunal, which awarded him €6,950 in compensation for unfair dismissal.

Lawyers José Herrera and David Camilleri appeared for Mr Camilleri.