A shopworker from Hadleigh who refused to work on Sundays was today jubilant after winning £14,000 in a landmark appeal that could affect thousands of staff.

Paul Charnetski, from Woodburn Close, was dismissed by supermarket giant Safeway in 1999 when he told his bosses he would not work on Sundays.

The 44-year-old had been with the store in London Road, Hadleigh, since 1988 - before the Sunday Trading Act was introduced in 1994 - and therefore claimed he was a "protected worker" who didn't have to work on a Sunday.

Paul, a night worker who stacked shelves, also refused to sign contract accepting flexible working hours over seven days which would have effectively over-ruled the protected status.

He lost a tribunal in April 2000 against his dismissal - but yesterday won on appeal and was awarded £14,000 plus costs at an employment tribunal in east London.

The decision could affect thousands of employees who joined their companies before the introduction of the Sunday Trading Act and didn't realise they are not legally required to work on Sundays.

Paul said: "I'm overwhelmed by the tribunal's decision - but it has been a traumatic time.

"I've lost all my friends over this - because I worked nights the other staff were the people I spent most time with and, after I lost the first tribunal, I didn't go back there."

Published Wednesday August 14, 2002

Brought to you by the Evening Echo