British firemen must not complain about their facilities

In case they are right in what they say (which they probably are)

"A Stockport firefighter has won £80,000 in damages after an employment tribunal found he was unfairly dismissed over a row about reclining chairs.

Christopher Bennett, who has arthritis, was sacked for gross misconduct for sending an email to colleagues asking whether the chairs caused back pain.

The tribunal found his right to freedom of expression under the Human Rights Act had been breached.

Mr Bennett, who was sacked in 2008 after 25 years of service, was among a number of firefighters who found the new £400 chairs uncomfortable, the tribunal heard.

He stated in the email: "From day one we have moaned and complained but silently... The majority of firefighters have asked in private to not use the... chairs. "We are instead forced to rest on the concrete floor or outbuildings or blow up mats. This by its very nature is robbing us of our professional pride, not to mention human dignity."

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: "We demand the highest standards of behaviour from our entire staff. "Mr Bennett's actions fell far below those standards when he ignored the email policy and advice from both his line manager and his union representative.

Source