Every once in a while we hear a heart-warming story of some big corporate doing something nice for someone – usually as a PR exercise. On the rare occasion, the big corporate even does something nice without looking around to see if anyone is watching. While these stories are rare, it is even more rare for a big corporate to admit a mistake, and undo the damage it has done.
82-year-old Ivor Smith, war hero and grandfather who loves his job. It gets him out of the house and keeps his mind active. Ivor has spent the last 12 years of his life giving of his best to hardware store B&Q. in Parkhead, Glasgow.
In 2010, he got a glowing letter of commendation for perfect attendance.
It praised him for his “commitment and resilience” and “fantastic drive” and ended with the words, “Keep at it.”
Ivor, from East Kilbride, was also hailed in the press in 2010 as an example of what pensioners could bring to the workplace. At 82 years old he is still sharp, and an example to everyone, young and old.
Ivors reward of near faultless service, for 12 years was getting sacked from his job at hardware chain B&Q for “leaving his till unattended for 3 minutes and 30 seconds. Ivor had been moved from his greeting duties to checkouts after a forklift rode over his foot, breaking his toes and had received no training on the till. Ivor was sacked for gross misconduct.
Bosses claimed his oversight was a security breach, which gave customers potential access to cash in the till. Ivor claims he never left the vicinity of the till at any time.
While we do not want to get drawn into the details too much, what is obvious is that Ivor deserves a second chance. Ivor served his country with distinction, and has served B&Q for the last 12 years with the same enthusiasm and excellence - now all he asks is to continue serving his employers with the same commitment he has shown in the past Something he has proved very capable of doing.
We call on Kevin O'Byrne CEO of the hardware chain, to give Ivor another chance, he deserves it for his outstanding service in the past, and for his commitment to continue doing his best in the future.
Come on B&Q, do the right thing. Give Ivor another chance
