Bus driver whose daughter died giving birth SACKED over failure to return to work

A grieving bus driver who has been on sickness leave since his daughter tragically died giving birth seven months ago has been told he has lost his job for failing to give bosses a date for his return.
Robert Parkisson's daughter Lisa, 35, died in June, just two days after giving birth to her son Zac at the Royal Oldham Hospital.
Since that tragic day, the 62-year-old has been off work after being diagnosed with depression.
But seven months to the day since Lisa's death, Robert was handed 90 days' notice by First Group after being told he would be losing his job for failing to be able to tell them when he will be going back to work.

 

Robert, who has worked at First for more than 10 years, said: "It is a disgusting way to treat someone while they are grieving for their daughter. I'm just a number to them.
"All they care about is me coming back to work. They don't care about me as a person.
"It is so disrespectful to my daughter's memory."

 

He added: "First Bus keep asking me for a date to return to work but I just can't give them one.
"When I'm behind the wheel and I'm carrying a bus full of passengers, I'm responsible for their safety. But, with how I feel at the moment, I just couldn't drive the bus.
"Sometimes I lose concentration and drift, sometimes I just break down into tears. I can't control it and each day is different to the next.
"I've spoken to three doctors, my own and two that were sent by the company, and they all agree that I am just not able to give a return to work date.
"I understand that I will have to return to work at some point, but at the moment it just isn't possible.
"I wish the company would understand that and be a bit more supportive."

In a statement, a spokesman for First Group, said the company could not comment on Mr Parkisson's case but added that it does have policies in place to support and engage with employees after a bereavement.

The spokesman added: "Such support includes a company confidential support line, counselling services and face-to-face meetings at work or at home as well as trade union support."


Robert is spending time with his family, including his ex-wife and Lisa's mother Judith Smith and sister Ally Ziemniak.
He added: "The whole family is still grieving - we rely on each other to get through each day. We are all devastated."
Lisa, from Derker, gave birth via a Caesarean section. She was found unconscious by a midwife early on the morning of June 23 but a team of eight medical professionals were unable to revive her.
Her baby son is being cared for by Ally and growing into a healthy, happy little boy, surrounded by the love of his family.

 

His grandad said he is proud of the way the youngster is developing and the pair share a close bond as well as a name - Lisa gave him the middle name of Robert in his honour.
The news of Robert's job loss was made all the more difficult to take as it came on the same day the family received the latest report into Lisa's death. However, not for the first time, it failed to shed any light on a cause.

 

Robert said: "The coroner's office have been very good with us, keeping us up to date with their enquiries there are still further reports to be done.
"We have so many questions about Lisa's death but we are no nearer to any answers. Every few weeks when we receive a new report or a bit more information, the grief just hits us again. We are constantly being reminded of that day.
"But we have had barely any other support from anyone else and to find out that I've lost my job as well has just been too much for us all to take."
A date for the inquest into Lisa's death has yet to be finalised as more reports are still to be prepared.