A STOURPORT former departmental manager who was accused of adopting a cavalier attitude at a printing firm has won a compensation claim for unfair dismissal.

Now Andrew Godfrey, of The Grove, is waiting to see how much compensation he is to receive.

Mr Godfrey made his claim at Birmingham Employment Tribunal for unfair dismissal against Jones & Palmer Ltd, of Birmingham. He was sacked earlier this year after 14 years with the firm.

Anne Copley, representing the firm, told the tribunal Mr Godfrey adopted a cavalier attitude to his job and failed to turn up for a management training course.

She said Mr Godfrey was dismissed in February this year after he had been two days late responding to an e-mail over an audit report. "We could not get a straight answer from him and we had no option but to dismiss him," said Ms Copley.

She alleged he had contributed to his dismissal.

Mr Godfrey denied the cavalier accusation, however, and said he had given loyal service to the firm for 14 years. He added he took his job seriously and believed he was unfairly dismissed.

Tribunal chairman, Roger Balmain, said the tribunal decision was that Mr Godfrey had been unfairly dismissed but added there were contributory factors and that the amount of compensation decided should be reduced by 30 per cent.

The hearing was adjourned for a time to allow David Daniels, who represented Mr Godfrey, and Ms Copley to come to an agreement over the compensation award but when the two parties returned to the tribunal chamber they admitted they had been unable to settle on an amount.

Mr Balmain then adjourned the hearing to a later date to make a decision about the award.

Mr Godfrey, who has since obtained another job, said he was delighted with the outcome.

Income tax could be deducted from the award total for state benefits paid to Mr Godfrey following his dismissal.

The firm was said to employ about 38 people.