Southampton dustman with disability is 'forced out of job'

Chris Parrington was working as a dustbin lorry driver/loader when he was found to have a benign growth at the base of his skull.

Mr Parrington, 55, of Langley, is still allowed to drive but is unable to do any work which involves heavy lifting.

He said the council cut his wages before stopping them altogether at the end of last year, which had left him struggling financially.

Refuse collector Chris Parrington has been unable to do his job since being diagnosed with a benign growth in his skull (Image: Supplied)

Fearing his medical situation could make it difficult to find full-time employment elsewhere, he has asked the authority to redeploy him. But talks aimed at resolving the situation have gone nowhere.

The council wants him to be assessed by PAM OH Solutions, a national health provider based in Warrington, Cheshire.

But Mr Parrington says medical information that could decide his future should be provided by his own consultants at the Royal South Hants Hospital, Southampton.

His long-running dispute with the authority has coincided with the cost-of-living crisis.

"I've been surviving on money I've saved over a long period, and a tax rebate. My mum and dad help me with food," he said.

"I think the council is hoping I'll run out of money and resign, but they've got to resolve this. There are lots of things I can do but they're not interested. I feel badly let down."

Refuse collector Chris Parrington has been unable to do his job since being diagnosed with a benign growth in his skull (Image: Newsquest.)

Mr Parrington's problems began in 2020, when he began to experience a strange sensation whenever he moved one of the bins on his round.

He said: "My GP said it could be something really nasty but a scan showed it was a benign swelling called an acoustic neuroma, something that affects only 13 in every one million people.

"The council told me I couldn't come in until they had come up with a solution, but the only thing I can't do is heavy lifting."

In a letter dated April 24 2023 the authority said: "The aim is to support you to get back to work in a role that is suitable taking into account the diagnosed medical conditions.

"At no point have you been considered unsuitable for employment. However, as an employer we need to take due care of our employees' health and safety."

But Mr Parrington said: "They want me gone because I have a disability."

A city council spokesperson told the Daily Echo: "We are unable to offer public comment on this matter without disclosing sensitive personal information."