Sacked station worker’s £25k payout over ticket

A sacked railway worker has been awarded £25,000 compensation by an employment tribunal.

Anthony Trice, of Stanhope, was dismissed by Southeastern after making an unauthorised ticket sale at Paddock Wood railway station.

Although it was accepted the 54-year-old acted against the rules, a tribunal ruled the company’s decision to sack him was “outside a reasonable range of responses”.

In January 2018, Mr Trice was on light duties following a broken ankle and was assigned a new role at Paddock Wood.

A colleague had left the ticket office window unattended and when a passenger requested a ticket, Mr Trice sold one, despite not being authorised to do so.

At an internal disciplinary meeting he later admitted he had acted incorrectly, but despite showing contrition for his action he was dismissed.

The colleague who had left their post in the ticket office to go to the shop, despite also breaking the rules, was only given a warning.

In finding Mr Trice had been wrongfully dismissed, the tribunal said: “We agree the claimant’s actions constituted misconduct and warranted at least a warning but we do find it outside the reasonable range to dismiss.

“The claimant’s motive was to assist a customer, albeit misguided, and there was clear contrition and acceptance he should do differently in future.”

The father-of-seven said he was glad to finally be able to move on. “It has cleared my name and I have moved on now,” he said.

Instead of dismissing Mr Trice from his position, the tribunal said Southeastern should have provided further training. The company has said it will be reviewing its processes.

Anthony Trice worked at Paddock Wood railway station, but was dismissed when he was on the only person there and he sold a customer a ticket