A train driver from Ramsgate, Kent has won £28 000 in compensation from rail operators Southeastern for Unfair Dismissal. The payout was awarded despite the fact that the driver had 134 days off sick in just 22 months. The tribunal heard that  45 year old Darrin Thomas suffered from asthma and had taken one in every four days off sick.

Mr Thomas had originally asked for an award of £100 000. The tribunal heard that Mr Thomas would probably have had to give up his job on his own accord due to the severity of his condition. Southeastern’s Unfair Dismissal Lawyer Peter Redman said “I don’t think any employer in the world would find that level of abscence acceptable. The very first absence was a chest infection from asthma and the very last has a similar certificate fro your doctor.”

He continued “Every time you returned to work you were found to be F1- fit for normal duties. Mr Thomas admitted his attendance was not great however he was a good driver and was always professional.