A WAREHOUSE worker who was sacked after swearing at his boss has had his case for unfair dismissal upheld at an industrial tribunal held in Manchester.

Barry Wallis, 45, of Barsham Drive, Bolton, claimed £6,000 in compensation after the tribunal held at Alexandra house, Manchester, found in his favour on Monday.

Mr Wallis, who worked in the warehouse at computer systems supplier Dabs Direct PLC on Wingates Industrial Estate, Westhoughton, told the BEN he was sacked on the spot in February after working for the company for nearly three years. Mr Wallis claimed he was told to leave after swearing at a manager and telling him to "stop being so childish".

He said: "I did swear but not in a way to insult anyone. I worked in the warehouse for nearly three years and swearing was par for the course, it was banter between the lads.

"Everyone swears and I had done before to the same people but for some reason they took particular offence to this and I was told to go."

Mr Wallis, who represented himself at the tribunal, said his former employers failed to turn up for the hearing. "I was not taken through any disciplinary procedure, I was just sacked," he said. "I feel vindicated that the tribunal upheld my case and I have nothing against Dabs as a company, just the way I was treated as an individual."

Mr Wallis added that he has since found employment, again as a warehouse worker, with another company.

Company spokeswoman Helen Atkinson said: "He has been awarded 70 percent of £6,000 he was claiming. He has been awarded £4,886.82.

"We can confirm he was a warehouse worker but we do not want to discuss the details of the case.

"It was very regrettable. But it is the only tribunal case in the ten year history of the company."