On This Day, 16 June 1917

Birmingham Mail

Saturday 16 June 1917

BIRMINGHAM MUNITIONS TRIBUNAL.

COMPENSATION FOR DISMISSED EMPLOYEES.

A boy claimed compensation at the Birmingham Munitions Tribunal this morning for wrongful dismissal. The firm concerned did not appear, but sent a letter to the court. Professor Tillyard pointed out that if firms could not be represented they knew the risks they took, for they had been told about them.

The boy stated that he was discharged immediately because he was said to be lounging by his machine, and a permit was not given to him for several days. The letter from the firm alleged that the boy had been warned repeatedly about lounging about, but this the boy denied, stating that he had not been warned for 22 months, nor had complaints been made against him during that time. On this occasion be had been standing by his machine for about five minutes, but he had finished his work.

Professor Tillyard said in the absence of the firm they should accept the boy’s evidence, and hold that he had not misconducted himself in such way to justify his dismissal, would be granted 25s. as compensation.

An employee of another firm was awarded 35s. compensation in lieu notice. The representative of the firm alleged that the man was caught playing cards in working hours, and he was discharged for misconduct. Professor Tillyard pointed out that the playing of cards took place on May 15 or 16, and the man was not sent away until June 5. The firm’s representative replied that they were waiting see if another man, who had been engaged, would prove satisfactory. Professor said they did not consider that that was a proper action. The firm had kept the man to suit their own convenience, and there was misconduct the time of the instant dismissal.