Editor's Job Axe Handled Unfairly
Monday, 14th September 2009.
Former local newspaper editor, David Hart lost his job unfairly, an employment tribunal has ruled...
David Hart, who had been in charge at the Haverhill Echo, was selected for redundancy in September last year as bosses attempted to make cost savings in the face of falling advertising revenue and profits.
Last month Mr Hart, 56, claimed at tribunal he had been selected for redundancy unfairly by Anglia Newspapers and had suffered discrimination because of his age.
Mr Hart, of Chauntry Road, Haverhill, had worked at the weekly paper for 32 years, the final three as editor. He had started with the publication as a trainee reporter.
Despite upholding Anglia Newspapers' claim his dismissal was for the potentially fair reason of redundancy, the tribunal has decided the way it was handled was unfair.
Employment judge David Skinner, who chaired the hearing at Bury St Edmunds, said Mr Hart's allegation that he was a victim of age discrimination was not well founded and had been dismissed, as was a complaint that Anglia Newspapers had infringed dispute resolution rules.
Both sides now face a further hearing at which the amount of compensation to be paid to Mr Hart will be decided.
David Hart, who had been in charge at the Haverhill Echo, was selected for redundancy in September last year as bosses attempted to make cost savings in the face of falling advertising revenue and profits.
Last month Mr Hart, 56, claimed at tribunal he had been selected for redundancy unfairly by Anglia Newspapers and had suffered discrimination because of his age.
Mr Hart, of Chauntry Road, Haverhill, had worked at the weekly paper for 32 years, the final three as editor. He had started with the publication as a trainee reporter.
Despite upholding Anglia Newspapers' claim his dismissal was for the potentially fair reason of redundancy, the tribunal has decided the way it was handled was unfair.
Employment judge David Skinner, who chaired the hearing at Bury St Edmunds, said Mr Hart's allegation that he was a victim of age discrimination was not well founded and had been dismissed, as was a complaint that Anglia Newspapers had infringed dispute resolution rules.
Both sides now face a further hearing at which the amount of compensation to be paid to Mr Hart will be decided.
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