Court Rules on Employee Dismissal Case

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Court of Appeal has overturned an award of damages granted to a former employee of Bradford Grand Bahama, who was fired after he took an unauthorized leave of absence.

Bradley Lord was awarded  $14,897.61 as compensation for unfair dismissal, plus interest on the award at the rate of 6% per annum by the Industrial Tribunal.

The Court of Appeal, however, reversed the tribunal’s finding after ruling that Lord’s dismissal was justified.

Lord went on vacation. As his vacation was coming to an end, he requested three months unpaid leave.

When asked to give a reason for the request, he simply said he was dealing with  “a private family matter”.

When asked to give more specifics he refused to do so.

He was told that his request for leave was refused and that he had to return to work. He refused to do so. As a result, his bosses said that  Lord had “voluntarily terminated” his contract of employment by refusing to report to work.