It’s unfare dismissal
Grumpy bus boss sacks all his staff
A BUS firm boss sacked his staff via an internal memo that read: “F*** it. I have had enough and realise I cannot work with you a moment longer.”
Grumpy Sydney Hardy, 57, told his 27 drivers that they could “consider themselves dismissed/redundant”.
He said he was quitting as managing director of Nippy Bus after 13 years to “pursue my dream of not having to work here”. His parting shot, sent on Sunday, added: “The gates are now closed so you can stay in your scratchers Monday and have a lie-in”. The firm, based in Yeovil, Somerset, said in a brief message on its website that it had “ceased operational activity with immediate effect”.
Driver Steve Atkins, 61, described his ex-boss as a private man who “didn’t have a good relationship” with staff. But he said they were “in total shock”, adding: “Nobody expected it.”
Schools and colleges were left scrambling to find other transport for around 300 children. Somerset Council stepped in to organise alternatives and most schools had services lined up by the end of the day. Nippy, which had 17 vehicles, also operated several public bus routes across Somerset and Dorset, serving small villages that were not otherwise covered by public transport.
Other operators said they were trying to “pick up the pieces”.
At his home in Yeovil yesterday Mr Hardy said: “I have no further comment to make.”