A Jaguar Land Rover employee who took 808 sick leaves during his tenure and cost the car manufacturer nearly 130,000 US dollars in sick pay has won a court case for wrongful termination, according to the newspaper Birmingham Live.
Vic Rambold, who lived near the Castle Bromwich plant, was absent for various reasons throughout his nearly 20 years with the automotive giant. His absences were due to health issues, workplace injuries, and once, an alleged attack. The Birmingham Employment Tribunal was informed that 405 of the absences occurred in the last four years of his employment.
Launch manager John Carter remarked: “Honestly, this is the worst absence record I have ever seen: 808 shifts, and the cost to the company is nearly 130,000 US dollars. Since 2000, there has not been a single year with 100% attendance.”
Termination and legal process
The company terminated Rambold in December 2018 for reasons related to “behavior and work capacity.” However, the judge determined that the employer did not adhere to proper attendance management procedures and “did not reasonably reach the stage in the process where dismissal could be considered.”
Rambold experienced hip problems at the beginning of 2018 and was unable to work from March 12 to August 13. He required hip replacement surgery, which would keep him out of work for approximately 3 more months. When Jaguar Land Rover became aware of his disability, the assembly line worker was offered lighter duties in other departments.
He was assigned to record vehicle registration numbers, which allowed him to sit and use a cane. However, he only worked for one week, describing the task as “a made-up role to get me back to work.” In November, Rambold was offered a position as a “sealer” at the end of the painting line. He worked for just one day and testified in court that the job caused him severe pain. When he was called for a new task in December, he did not show up. He later missed or was late for 11 medical examinations at the occupational health service.
Source: Clarín
