Help please with OH job - they're trying to take money off him!

looby75

ok I'm confused

My brother and BIL are both joiners and have repaired large sections of damaged woodwork (doors, window frames, 100+ year old cottage beams)

I really doubt that a few screws holding a board would cause so much damage that it was irreparable.

If they had screwed into plastic I could understand the damage claim, but wood, with a bit of work is repairable and they don't need new door.

someone is trying to pull a fast one here to get a new door.

londondulwich

Londondulwich - the company surveyor has been out to take photgraphs which OH has a copy of - they're not the best but you can see splintering of the wood where he has drilled the holes unfortunately. I think this is obviously going to go against him isn't it, but still cannot justify that costing £950.

I cannot say whether the photos are good or bad for your partner. Only an expert can make that decision.

If your partner believes that an independant surveyor will support him then you should write to the company saying that negligence is denied and that you are seeking advice.

Here is a link to a case which might help:

http://216.239.59.104/search?q=cache:MnuZf7gGAw4J:www.employmentappeals.gov.uk/Public/Upload/EAT2520229102002.doc+deducting+wages+for+employees+negligence&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=7&gl=uk

The expert would also be the best judge of whether a new door was a proportionate measure as opposed to a repair.

There is something else that is bothering me.

If your partner did not replace the broken glass, wouldn't the board have been left screwed in place?

If the board had not been removed, how was any damage viewable?

Did your husband split the grain so that the crack spread outside of the board, or drill through the door, splitting the veneer on the inside?

ClaireLR

Ok just thought I would give you an update, basically OH had a meeting with his manager on Friday, beforehand we wrote a letter stating all of the reasons that we felt that the charge was not justified, OH has discussed all of the points with his manager and his manager is going to speak to people at head office who will make the final decision and he should be told next week. We're on holiday so his manager is going to call him (at OH's request) to let him know. Fingers crossed because if it doesn't go our way I'm not sure what we're going to do!!