Electrician John Buchanan thought he was using his initiative to keep himself and 2 colleagues warm during last winters freeze.  Buchanan, formerly of Kean construction, was working on new-build homes as the temperatures plummeted to minus 7 degrees centigrade.

In an attempt to get some rest bite from the frostbite he went into one of the properties which had already had heating fitted and put it on.  Unfortunately, when his manager found out what he had done he dismissed him.

Buchanan this week has received £3600 in compensation for what the Employment Tribunal in Glasgow ruled an unfair dismissal.

The compensation was due as Kean Construction had dismissed Buchanan without first giving him a disciplinary hearing, which would have allowed him the chance to explain his actions.

Hopefully his compensation payment provides some cold comfort that he was within his rights to try and avoid freezing.