A train worker was terminated from his job after offering sausage rolls sourced from a bin to first-class passengers. Peter Duffy, a long-time employee of LNER, faced allegations of serving snacks retrieved from a bin to hungry travelers with the help of a colleague. Duffy defended his actions by stating that he was trying to fulfill a customer’s request after the stock had been discarded.
An incident was reported where laughter was heard from the train’s kitchen before the food was served, leading to a complaint when it was discovered that the bin was empty despite earlier claims that no sausage rolls were available. The situation unfolded on an LNER service departing from York, where two first-class passengers requested sausage rolls in May 2023.
During a tribunal, a crew member recounted being informed that the sausage rolls had been disposed of, only to later witness the same rolls being served to passengers after purportedly being retrieved from the bin by Duffy. CCTV footage supported the claims that Duffy had taken discarded food from the bin, reheated it, and served it to customers.
Following an investigation into the breach of food hygiene standards, both Duffy and his colleague were suspended by the train company. Duffy defended his actions during the inquiry, attributing his behavior to his dedication to customer service. Despite claims of anxiety and depression, the tribunal ultimately found Duffy guilty of gross misconduct and dismissed him in July 2023.
At the tribunal, it was mentioned that Duffy experienced transient global amnesia on the day of the incident. However, his colleague denied witnessing the retrieval of sausage rolls from the bin and attributed the laughter in the kitchen to a personal incident. The tribunal ruled in favor of LNER, stating that the dismissal was justified and not related to any disability on Duffy’s part.
In response to the incident, an LNER spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to customer welfare and safety, stating that such incidents do not align with their high standards and prompt action was taken.
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