A greenkeeper at a renowned golf course has won a case for unfair dismissal after he was sacked when his digger fell into a hole.
Michael Haynes’s excavator had to be pulled from a trench at Walton Heath Golf Club in Tadworth, Surrey, which was once captained by King Edward VIII and included Sir Winston Churchill among its members.
Mr Haynes, 58, the deputy course manager, dismissed the incident as minor because no damage was done, and did not report it formally in a logbook.
However, his bosses took a different view, and he was later dismissed for gross misconduct after almost 40 years of service.
An employment tribunal has now found the disciplinary action taken against Mr Haynes had ‘snowballed’ without alternatives being considered – and he is now set to receive compensation.
As well as his job, Mr Haynes and his wife lost their free accommodation provided by the club.
The tribunal heard the golf course had two diggers weighing 7.5 tons and 2.5 tons and that, during a staff training course in November 2021, instructor Ian Foster told course manager Michael Mann that Mr Haynes was lucky not be injured in his accident earlier that year.
But Mr Mann said he was not aware of the incident, in which Mr Haynes’ digger toppled into a hole cab-side down while he wasn’t wearing his seatbelt.
Walton Heath Golf Club in Tadworth, Surrey. Michael Haynes was sacked from the club after his excavator fell into a trench but the greenkeeper has since won an unfair dismissal case
The club launched proceedings against Mr Haynes, saying his failure to report the incident was a serious breach of health and safety procedures.
Mr Haynes argued he had mentioned the incident to Mr Mann at the time, and did not need to formally write it up in the accident book.
He was later dismissed without notice because his explanation was deemed ‘unacceptable’ and he had failed to follow the correct reporting procedures.
The club said they had ‘no confidence’ that Mr Haynes would follow health and safety rules and the possibility of future incidents not being reported was ‘high’.
Mr Haynes appealed the dismissal twice and provided evidence of incidents not reported by other members of staff.
The tribunal has now found Mr Haynes’ dismissal was ‘procedurally unfair’ because those investigating his conduct ‘exaggerated and maximised’ the seriousness of the incident.
They did also criticise him for failing to report the incident.
Employment Judge Adam Leith said: ‘The responsibility to record the incident in the accident book fell on [Mr Haynes]. His failure to do so was rendered considerably starker because of his [senior] role.’
Mr Haynes lost both his job and free accommodation provided by the club (file photo)
Mr Haynes’ compensation – which will be reduced by 50 per cent due to his error – will be decided at a later date.
Walton Heath boasts two Herbert Fowler-designed courses – one of which has been ranked in the world’s Top 100 since 1938 – and claims to be one of the world’s most highly regarded golf clubs.
According to its website, it is famous for its ‘rich golfing and political history’ and the quality of its two ‘exceptionally challenging heathland layouts’, described by US golfing legend Jack Nicklaus as ‘wonderfully pure’.
The club has hosted top competitions, including the Ryder Cup in 1981. One round of golf can cost as much as £350 for a visitor.
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Greenkeeper at golf club once captained by King Edward VIII wins unfair dismissal case after he was sacked because his digger fell into a hole
