Two builders who were sacked after they left work early to go to a rock concert in Sheffield have been given £2000 in compensation from the company that dismissed them.
Glen Wilkinson and Neil Harvey, who were employed by London contractor Glades, were fired after they left work two hours early to listen to heavy metal band Def Leppard on 20 February this year.

The men, who had worked for the firm for two years, were dismissed the next day.

The men took their case to an employment tribunal in Croydon, south London, but the company agreed to an out-of-court settlement before the case was due to be heard on 27 September. Both men were represented by UCATT.

Wilkinson said that he was surprised that he had been dismissed but was happy with the award of £2000.

He said: "My daughter gave me the ticket for the Def Leppard concert. It was first things first – and Def Leppard came first."

UCATT representative Michael Dooley said that the case was a typical example a "North-South divide" in the industry. He said southern firms must show more sensitivity.

He said: "Southern bosses must realise they cannot turn a deaf ear to Yorkshiremen's favourite bands without paying the price."

He said the settlement was amicable but was one of the most unusual he had dealt with.

Glade Developments was unavailable for comment.