Disabled man bullied with helmet

Andrew Beck (left) resigned from his job over the bullying

A golf club greenkeeper who was ordered to wear a bright red helmet because of his autism has been awarded £78,000 in damages for unfair dismissal.

Andrew Beck, 44, worked at Davyhulme Park Golf Club in Manchester for 13 years until new head greenkeeper Nick Marner was appointed in 1999.

He was bullied by his manager up until he quit the job in 2007, an employment tribunal in Manchester heard.

The employment judge described the case as "particularly serious".

Mr Beck, of Urmston, who has an autism spectrum disorder, was told he had to wear the builder's-style hat to distinguish himself from the rest of the employees and to point him out to visitors to the club.

He was advised it was for his own protection.

In other incidents, the tribunal was told that Mr Marner kicked him in a fit of temper while he sat in a rest room and violently pushed him over on the course as he knocked a rake out of his hands.

Hopefully it will make employers think twice about how they treat people like Andrew. You don't need to make radical changes in the workplace, just be more aware Arnold Beck, father

The matter was first brought to court in September 2008 when it was found that Mr Beck had suffered unfair dismissal and disability discrimination.

Following several appeals from the golf club, the matter has finally been settled with the amount of damages set by employment judge David Jones.

Mr Beck's 75-year-old father Arnold said: "It's been a very long and trying process but I am delighted that it has finally been recognised publicly that my son was mistreated.

"He was humiliated and intimidated for many years which led to him going off sick eventually.

"Hopefully it will make employers think twice about how they treat people like Andrew. You don't need to make radical changes in the workplace, just be more aware."