Theft-case employee in sack fight

Nigel Dickinson took returned goods which had been thrown into a skip as waste to make up the 125 he claimed he was owed by B&Q, an employment tribunal heard.

The 54-year-old, who was recovering from two nervous breakdowns, ended up appearing before magistrates, where he admitted theft and was given a two-year conditional discharge.

He told a Sheffield hearing he was asked to work more than 20 hours a week by his bosses at B&Q in Stairfoot, Barnsley, but felt he could not cope with working five days a week as he suffered from depression. He handed in his notice and was offered another job as a hotel night porter, but feared another breakdown when managers decided to dock his pay while he was serving his notice.

Mr Dickinson, from Penistone, South Yorkshire, then took the electrical items which had been returned by customers and placed in a skip to be scrapped. He told the tribunal: "The respondents were not going to pay me when they owe me." B&Q then billed him for 275.

Mr Dickinson, who has spent 7,000 fighting the case, is claiming constructive dismissal and disability discrimination.

He claims he is owed 22 days pay and says he was victimised after bringing the employment tribunal proceedings.

B&Q told the hearing Mr Dickinson quit because he disliked unloading deliveries and had never outlined worries about working a five-day week before he resigned. The firm also said it did not accept he was disabled as he showed little sign of depression. The tribunal panel reserved its decision.