Victory for firefighter sacked after safety email

The FBU fire brigades’ union and Thompsons Solicitors have won a ground-breaking victory for a firefighter who was sacked after sending an email to colleagues about safety.

Christopher Bennett suffered back problems for many years and asked the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Authority (GMFRA) to make reasonable adjustments under the Disability Discrimination Act. He wanted to use his own rest mattress as an alternative “horizontal” form of resting during nightshifts but this was refused. Instead, he was told to use the rest facility provided or benches in the snooker room. He later sent an email to colleagues referring to a newspaper article about firefighters suing the service after hurting their backs on station chairs and was subsequently sacked.

The Tribunal found that his right to freedom of expression under the Human Rights Act had been breached and that his dismissal was unfair. Thompsons secured an out-of-court settlement of £80,000 for him.