Internet using accountant gets £40k in unfair dismissal claim

Published on 16 Jun 2010 under category: legal

A professional sacked for using the internet too much has received close to £40,000 in unfair dismissal compensation.

Accountant David Innes, who worked for Scottish and Southern Energy, was fired after he was accused of spending too much time online, the BBC has reported.

However, the employment tribunal dismissed the claim, after employment solicitors said that the internet usage stats had been wrongly interpreted by management.

Mr Innes' performance was also undergoing monitoring, as he had a significant number of emotional problems.

The employment tribunal awarded him unfair dismissal compensation worth £38,060 and said that he should seek out counselling of some kind of help him address his personal issues.

Speaking to BBC Scotland, Mr Innes said: "I got what I was looking for and a fair recompense. Money is important but clearing my name is important.

"I feel my employer was trying to find something to push through a disciplinary process. Obviously I think I could have been re-instated."

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