Barrow dad's sacking sparks social media storm as users vow to boycott supermarket

Father-of-seven Steve Neale was dismissed as deputy store manager at the Co-Op store in Plymouth Street on Walney last week for gross misconduct. 

Mr Neale, of Parade Street, Barrow, said he had asked his team if anyone minded him taking some out-of-date flowers destined for the bin to place on his granddaughter Opal's grave at Barrow Cemetery. After doing so, to no objections from his team, the 42-year-old was hauled before a disciplinary meeting and later sacked. 

The story has generated a huge outpouring of anger on social media, with Co-Op customers from Barrow and beyond accusing the company of being heartless and acting without compassion. 

An online poll, asking if the Co-Op was right to sack Mr Neale has attracted hundreds of votes in his favour and a number of people have posted on the Co-Op's Facebook page threatening to boycott the stores in future. 

In response, the Co-Op said: "We have been in touch with the area manager regarding this story and will be able to give more information once we have a response."

Mr Neale says all he wants to do is return to his job so he can support his family. 

"I've been overwhelmed by the number of people who have shown their support since the story was printed," he said.

Many criticising the Co-Op for what they claim is a heavy-handed response in sacking Mr Neale highlight the food waste which the retail giant gives to South Lakes Safari Zoo for free. The Evening Mail understands the agreement has been in place for around three months and Co-Op staff gather any out-of-date, fresh food which is then collected by zoo staff. 

Solicitor Steve Walker is the managing director and head of employment law at Ulverston-based Livingstons. 

Mr Walker said that based on the circumstances described in the Evening Mail article, in his opinion Mr Neale would be unlikely to succeed if he was to take the Co-Op to an employment tribunal but advised him to appeal the dismissal. 

However, Mr Walker was sympathetic to Mr Neale's situation, and added: "This is one of those rare cases where the letter of the law really leads to unfairness."