Guide dog released from cupboard

The GMB general union has helped a blind worker back to work after his guide dog was banned by his employer.

Peter White's employer, Beautymatic in Essex, had refused to allow his guide dog, Chips, to remain with him on the factory floor. Instead, Chips was to be shut in a cupboard all day.

Following intervention by the GMB, Guide Dogs for the Blind and White's local MP Alan Hurst, the company agreed to convert a room to house White, his workstation and Chips. It also agreed to pay White back pay for the time when he was unable to attend work because the dog was barred.