A CHARITY worker who was wrongly sacked from her job after working for them for 18 years has won her fight for unfair dismissal.

Alison Rockley, 62 of Blossom Close Ealing was delighted with the judgement after what she described as being the most "horrendous couple of years" as she waited for the case to be heard.

The unanimous decision of the employment Tribunal, held at Watford on April 9, found that Mrs Rockley's dismissal was unfair and that she had been wrongfully dismissed by her employers, Neighbourly Care Southall.

During the three day hearing the court heard that Mrs Rockley was employed as a centre manager for the charity from 1983 to the date of her dismissal on July 23 2002 on the grounds of gross misconduct.

Neighbourly Care Southall argued that Mrs Rockley was supporting the work of a group called the Neighbourly Care Southall Action Group, who they believed undermined their charity, particularly by causing problems in relation to the charity's funding.

They justify Mrs Rockley's dismissal as they argued that her support of the action group amounted to gross misconduct. The Action Group was set up because the members did not approve of certain changes to the charity.

The court heard that Neighbourly Care Southall believed Mrs Rockley was actively involved with the Action Group and was dismissed following a disciplinary hearing.

The tribunal chairman Mr Plenderleath, after considering all the evidence, found in favour of Mrs Rockley. He said: "We find that the reason for the Applicant's dismissal was misconduct. The respondent had a perception that the Applicant was involved in the activities of the Action Group and this, in their view amounted to gross misconduct.

"We find that the belief was not based on reasonable grounds as we find that the respondent did not carry out such investigations into the matter as a reasonable employer would in the circumstances."

A remedy hearing will take place at Watford on June 23.

May 29, 2003 12:00