Dismissal can be classed as reasonable even without gross misconduct

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The employee successfully claimed for payment of a notice period since he should not have been instantly dismissed.

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In a recent case (Weston Recovery Services v Fisher) the employee had returned a company mini bus which had been loaned for a holiday, in an unsafe condition.  The rear step was missing and seats insecure.  

Although not classed as gross misconduct it was held to be a reasonable response by the employer to dismiss the employee.  The only part of the claim that the employee succeeded on was the payment of a notice period since he should not have been instantly dismissed. 

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