Old Hill KFC manager loses unfair dismissal claim (From Halesowen News)

Old Hill KFC manager loses unfair dismissal claim

10:20am Monday 4th March 2013 in News

A GENERAL manager at Old Hill KFC complained she was unfairly dismissed after a cook was scalded while carrying out a “pot boiling” procedure.

Janice Carvalho, of Greenhill Road, Halesowen, told Birmingham Employment Tribunal she should not have been held responsible because she was on holiday at the time of the scalding incident.

Miss Carvalho was seeking compensation for unfair dismissal against Kentucky Friend Chicken UK Ltd after being employed at its Old Hill restaurant.

The cook was scalded by a splash back and was off work for a time, it was said.

Fortunately his injuries were not serious but Miss Carvalho complained she was later dismissed.

Miss Carvalho was said to have been employed by KFC, as it was listed, for about 18 months. The firm was said to have about 800 outlets in the UK.

KFC successfully opposed Miss Carvalho’s compensation claim after issues were raised about the pot boiling procedure.

Miss Carvalho was described as an efficient manager but the respondents said the business “was not achieving growth” and needed input to improve.

The firm denied an accusation by Miss Carvalho that “they did not want me here.”

Miss Carvalho complained she had been unfairly treated and said two employees at KFC’s other restaurants in Birmingham had been burned during their work and that health and safety procedures had been discussed.

She alleged the persons held responsible for the incidents at the other two restaurants did not lose their jobs but that she was dismissed.

Miss Carvalho believed this to be unfair.

After a hearing which had been listed for three days, tribunal judge Mr David Kearsley said he found in favour of the respondents and declared that Miss Carvalho had not been unfairly dismissed.

Miss Carvalho said after the hearing that she was disappointed with the outcome and that she was now unemployed.