Hi sidewinder, I totally agree with all your comments, thanks, still awaiting the letter to arrive then will draft an appeal letter and post.

Hi This is a major high street store so they must have insurance against this type of event

Hi Thanks for your reply, in answer to your questions: The chiller had electronic temp that showed 14 degrees and the alarm was sounding on it, on feeling the cheese was warm and soft at the front middle and back of the chiller, this is mentioned in the notes but nobody else who was there felt the cheese so could not independently verify this. There was roughly 20 minutes in discovering and starting to empty and dispose of it. There was another chiller that could have been used and this was brought up by the manager at the hearing. It was various types of assorted cheese. They claim he should have switched off the alarm (although he had no code to access the alarm system), probed the cheese with a battery hand held machine (which he didn't know where this was kept), attempted to call store manager (she was supposed to have been there at 6.30am, he presumed she was on route, so he did not call), check process for alarm calls on computer ( he had not been given password for computer), call another store for advice, all in all they said he wilfully destroyed the cheese, when he was trying to ensure it was not purchased and consumed by member of public (they say the store did not open for another hour, so had plenty of time before he needed to sort the issue) even though he had delivery of frozen food to sort and all other day to day issues before store opened. Any help greatly appreciated thanks

Hi,Thanks so much for taking the time and offer help and advice. In answer to your questions the chiller contained cheese and i am not sure if the amount would have been lower he would have been sacked or even disciplined, but it was mentioned at his hearing that the amount was substantial several times. Even though he said sorry during the hearing and that he should have spent time looking for the probe (whilst he was being sacked, the Manager stated that he showed no regard or remorse) which he clearly did.

Hi, Sorry for the confusion, i wasnt clear in my original post, he was told he has a right to appeal, but he has not received the letter confirming the dismissal as yet, i was just querying if people here thought he has a good case to appeal and if so, what kind of things do u write in the appeal letter? Thanks for you replies in advance

Hi, thanks for your reply in asswer to ur questions: Not recieved letter as yet, so have not sent any appeal letter, what kind of things do u write? The meeting was held 2 weeks after suspended Was given notes from investigation but no disciplinary procedure Was advised in writing and that could be accompanied Thanks again

Hi Looking for advice for a family member that was dismmised for gross misconduct on Friday. He works in a retail shop and has done for 10 years no previous blemishes on work record. He was asked by area manager to re-locate to another store in order to help out in the run up to xmas, the manager at this store has history with my family member and the area manager knows this history, against his better judgement he agreed as he thought declining this offer may jepodize his future career prospects. He had been at the new store 2 weeks and had already encountered several issues with the manager, he did seek out advice from his previous manager after only 4 days. Anyway, he aattended the store one morning 6.30am to find a chiller cabinet was faulty after attempting to fix the fault he was unable to so he felt he had no option but to destroy the contents, he documented fully what was wasted. His manager attended work and reported him for not following procedure, he was suspended whilst investigation took place. He attended disciplinary on friday and was sacked! They state he dhould have used a manual probe to check temperature of products even though on feel alone they were warm and soft. He mitigated that he had not be shown where this was kept or infact had any kind of induction to the store but it was felt it was gross misconduct as the amount of wastage was £2000. He did state that he attempted to call the area manager (whose phone was not working) and the company helpline (no answer) this was felt as not relevant? H was also not given security codes for the store and alarm systems on chiller caninets as the store manager did not want him to have them, even though he was responsible for opening and locking the store, he was given someone esles codes to use? Does he have grounds for appeal, any advice welcomed? Thanks in advance