Gross Misconduct

Teenyweenybash

Please can someone help as to what to do regarding Gross misconduct.
I have a friend, who today was dismissed on the spot after going into work and taken into the office within minutes they told him he was "sacked for gross misconduct" He has worked for this company for 15 months and has only had one glitch at the beginning of the job and was given a verbal warning which i'm sure after 6 months this is removed from your record? I find that he has been treated appallingly and I was wondering if someone could enlighten me as if he could take this any further.
he is an electrical installer and was told to pick up a washing machine from a storage company, he attends this storage company every single day sometimes numerous times as this is where the company keeps their stock and he has never had any issues in the 15 months he has worked.
On friday he was asked to go to the unit to which he did, once there he found that the shutter on the unit was down, *he has keys to this unit from his work that he carries daily and drops off at the end of each shift* So he used the side door which is a fire exit to enter the unit *the unit and fire escape have the same keys?* as he has done a couple of times previous, once he had loaded his van he was approached by staff members of the storage unit and they asked him how he got in, he told them and they said " yours not allowed to do that" now on any other occasion no one has told him that he can't and no one has informed him that he shouldn't use that door, and there is no signs stating not to, later that day he was told to go back to the unit to pick up another item, this time he used the main office and went into the building that way and explained what he had to do, so all was fine until he went to work this morning and they told him he was being fired for gross misconduct as he used a fire escape to enter the building and that the storage company said he was barred from the premises as he was a security risk, so because he can't load his van before the working day, they said he was fired. but he would give him a glowing reference as he never had any problems with his work?..
He has also worked around 52 hours a week for about 10 months and only been paid for 42 as he thought he was helping the company after the owner told them that things would improve after the financial year. He was supposed to which is in his contract be paid double time for anything over 42 hours. He worked to keep his job and a basic pay packet, and did not complain in fear of losing his job. I find that this is appauling, but i would like some one who does not know the person to reply to see honestly if he has a case or no, he is 46 years old and being fired under gross misconduct is going to be highly detrimental on him finding new work.
I would appreciate any input he has been in touch with a lawyer but we are still awaiting a reply.
kind regards

CRAymond

You likely don't have a case. Breaking the rules isn't fine "just because other people do it too". I understand why you (he) feel wronged, but the company is within their rights to do so.

However, your lawyer will let you know if you have any good courses of action to take, so just be patient for now.

the_donchichio

There is a general rule that working for a company for under 2 years hugely restricts your rights as an employee irrespective of what type of worker you are

As for your friend, it seems he was used by his boss who made him work extra without paying him and just promised him things which he did not deliver...IMO helping out someone is maximum one or teo hours not 12 hours....and no one should do anything extra in the current climate without something in return or genuine recognition