Tribunal Rules Unfair Dismissal of Two UK Firefighters Amid Procedural Failings

Two firefighters were found to have been unfairly dismissed after employment tribunals ruled that the investigations and disciplinary processes against them were flawed. Adam Hatch, a Gloucestershire firefighter accused of inappropriate physical contact with female colleagues, was dismissed following a process deemed "fundamentally flawed" by the tribunal, which found a lack of proper evidence and failure to adhere to natural justice. Separately, John Linden, a Norfolk Fire Service station manager, was sacked after being caught on camera throwing a disabled YouTuber's phone over a hedge during a fire scene altercation; the tribunal ruled his dismissal unfair due to procedural failures and found that the fire service did not make reasonable adjustments for his PTSD. Linden's case highlighted issues including instructions not to interview key witnesses and inadequate training for managing aggressive situations. Both cases underscore concerns about the fairness and thoroughness of disciplinary investigations within UK fire services. The tribunals stressed the importance of proper procedure and consideration of mental health conditions in employment disciplinary actions.