Worker Fired for Running Marathon While on Sick Leave Wins €60,000
Listen to the story
A worker ran in a marathon while he was on sick leave from his job.
His company found out about this. The company then fired him.
The worker did not agree with this. He went to court.
The court said the company was wrong. It called the firing an unfair dismissal.
The court gave the worker 60,000 euros. This money is called compensation.
Sick leave means a worker does not go to work. This is because the worker is ill.
Many workers get money from the state during sick leave. This money is called a benefit.
The story does not say why the man was on sick leave. It also does not say when the marathon happened.
This case shows that firing a worker for sick leave activities can be risky for a company.
Companies must be careful before they fire a sick worker.
Vocabulary6 words
- sick leave
- time away from work because you are ill
- fired
- told to leave your job
- court
- a place where judges decide about laws
- unfair dismissal
- losing your job in a wrong way
- compensation
- money given for a problem or loss
- benefit
- money the state gives to help you
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Quiz
Answer key
1. He ran a marathon 2. They fired him 3. 60,000 euros
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
A worker ran in a _____ while he was on sick leave from his job.
His company found out about this. The company then _____ him.
The worker did not agree with this. He went to _____.
The court said the company was _____.
It called the firing an _____ dismissal.
The court gave the worker 60,000 euros. This money is called _____.
Sick leave means a worker does not go to work. This is because the worker is _____.
Many workers get money from the state during sick leave. This money is called a _____.
This case shows that firing a worker for sick leave activities can be _____ for a company.
Companies must be _____ before they fire a sick worker.
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