A POLICE officer accused of shirking at work in cold weather has won a £40,000 payout.
PC Denise Gemmell has nerve condition neuralgia and was hauled before her inspector for taking time off in winter.
He also told her colleagues in Glasgow did not like her and she was a problem to manage.
She sued for victimisation and won the payout.
A tribunal heard she said she had “no choice” but to call in sick during winter, when the cold aggravated her condition and caused intense pain.
Insp Stephen Gow grilled her on what she meant by “inclement weather” and if she just avoided work “when you don’t fancy the weather?”.
Employment Judge Peter O’Donnell ruled it was an unfair attack as she had no notice.
He said: “It is difficult not to see a degree of vindictiveness.”
Last year a record 14,508 police officers signed off from work with mental health issues.
Shock stats revealed more cops took time out than ever before for reasons like depression, stress, anxiety and PTSD.
GettyA police officer accused of shirking at work in cold weather has won a £40,000 payout[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
