A whistleblower who claimed he was wrongly dismissed after telling energy firm bosses about drug-taking on site and an 11-year-old girl being allowed to drive a digger could learn his fate in the next month.
Roger Hammond has alleged Vattenfall ripped up his contract to hide significant health and safety breaches and substance abuse at its Aberdeen Offshore Windfarm (AOWF) onshore substation at Blackdog.
However, the company has argued Mr Hammond was sacked from his role as site manager because of his fractured relationship with his colleagues, one of whom accused him of sexual harassment.
After evidence had been given by several witnesses, legal representatives gave their closing submissions at Mr Hammond’s tribunal yesterday.
Mr Hammond’s barrister, Nigel Grundy, insisted Vattenfall had not taken his client’s claims seriously, and that dismissing him was a way for them to “duck and weave” any difficulties.
He said: “They did not speak to HR or legal experts about the disclosures. They did not raise the issues with anyone. They had no experience with whistleblowing and did not know what to do.
“They seem to have taken a cavalier approach to serious matters being raised. They have chosen to duck and weave to avoid them.”
Richard Smith, barrister for Vattenfall, dismissed Mr Hammond’s case due to the number of people involved in a so-called “conspiracy” to get him out.
He added: “I find it staggering it has been suggested that the sheer number of people were involved in this conspiracy to get rid of one colleague.”
The tribunal panel will consider the case and deliver a verdict in four to six weeks.