Tribunal awards compensation to train driver

Posted 18/03/2010

A former train driver who was forced to leave his job without a redundancy payout from his employer has been awarded compensation.

Stephen Morgan was employed by DB Schenker Rail UK when he was told that the firm could no longer keep his job open in 2008, the Workplace Law Network reports.

Although he was offered an alternative role with the company, this paid £8,000 a year less than his previous position and did not require the same level of skill.

After trialling the role for four weeks, Mr Morgan decided to leave because he was not satisfied, but he was not offered redundancy pay.

Mr Morgan opted to take his case to an employment tribunal and has this week been awarded £12,000 after his complaint against DB Schenker Rail UK was upheld.

According to the trade union TSSA, employers have a duty under employment law to offer alternative roles to those being made redundant if any are available.

However, they must not be substantially different from the individual’s previous work.