The claimant worked for the respondent which had an agency agreement with a gas provider. Customers would attend the respondent’s premises if interested in getting a gas supply and paperwork would be signed and returned to the gas provider to authorise its supply.

The claimant accepted that on one occasion he signed the name of particular customer on the ‘hire agreement document’ but claimed that this was accepted practice. The customer’s husband raised concerns with the respondent about the claimant signing the document in his wife’s name.

The claimant was informally told at a meeting that he may be dismissed or have disciplinary proceedings brought against him. 4 days later the claimant was told at a meeting that he