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The Employment Tribunal has adjourned a truck driver's unfair dismissal case for more evidence. A Tamworth, Staffs, truck driver is seeking compensation for unfair dismissal by his former haulage firm employer after denying he made inaccurate recordings on his work timesheets. Anthony Perry, of Gresley, Tamworth, was sacked by JM Transport Services of Tyseley, Birmingham, for gross misconduct, Birmingham  Employment Tribunal was told. Perry, who was employed by the firm for more than two and half years, claims the allegations are a fabrication and were made because he helped prepare a 24-page report highlighting problems at the company and suggesting how matters could be improved.

"I deny the allegations of inaccuracies and believe the management is getting its own back because of the report," he said. "Other issues are also involved. The report dealt with health and safety, work practices and other matters, but there was no malicious intent." The firm alleged that discrepancies occurred between diary entries, Perry's work timesheets and his truck tachograph which recorded his mileage and travelling times. One alleged incident involved a one-hour, 20-minute wait during a delivery in London and another involved a delayed delivery to a customer, the Tribunal was told.

The firm complained that Perry had failed to communicate during the deliveries. Gavin Wright, a director  of JM Transport Services, said Perry was suspended after the discrepancies came to light and dismissed for gross misconduct following a disciplinary and dismissal hearing. Andrew Griffiths, representing Perry, questioned whether it had been fair for Wright to chair the hearing after carrying out the investigation into the alleged discrepancies. Tribunal chairman John Parkin adjourned the hearing to later this year for more evidence after complaining that the two days allocated had not been long enough.