A north-east council worker has suggested his bosses tried to get him “out of the picture” rather than help him move jobs.
Stephen Paterson was signed off work with mental health problems when he was let go by Aberdeenshire Council in April.
The 37-year-old, who worked as a council tax assistant at Grampian House in Fraserburgh, claims he was unfairly dismissed and has taken the local authority to an employment tribunal.
Yesterday the tribunal heard the council made the decision to terminate Mr Paterson’s contract after it was deemed he was no longer capable due to his health problems.
Graham Duthie, principal revenues officer, told the hearing that Mr Paterson had first raised concerns his two supervisors were treating him differently to his colleagues last October.
Questioned by council solicitor Robin Taylor, Mr Duthie said Mr Paterson’s “intensity” in the office could sometimes affect his relationships with his colleagues.
He claimed the issue had come to a head during an incident in December, when Mr Paterson reacted angrily to a supervisor’s comment and slammed something down on his desk.
He said they attempted to resolve the situation by dealing with it informally, but at one meeting, Mr Paterson said his issue was with another, more senior manager.
Mr Duthie claimed that they “tried everything” to bring Mr Paterson back to work, after he was signed off work on health grounds, but he was “very clear” that he wanted to move department.
He said that Mr Paterson was ultimately offered “re-deployment” – meaning he would be given six weeks to find another position within the authority or his contract would be terminated.
Mr Taylor asked if it was made clear to Mr Paterson what would happen at the end of the six-week period, and if it was clear on what grounds he would be dismissed.
Mr Duthie said the terms of the contract were discussed “at least twice”.
But Mr Paterson – who is representing himself – suggested senior management had failed to offer more help to him because it was easier to get him “out of the picture”, which Mr Duthie denied.
The hearing, before tribunal judge Ian McFatridge, continues.