'Man admitted long-term back problem to company nurse'

A Nigerian man told a nurse he had been suffering from a bad back for months on the same day he claimed he had injured himself at work, a fair employment tribunal heard today.

Prince Ademola Adekoya, from Castlepark, Athy, Co Kildare, is taking a case for constructive dismissal against computer giant IBM Ireland after the firm suspended his wages in March 2004.

Mr Adekoya has claimed IBM harassed him about unexplained absences due to a back injury he sustained lifting computer servers in work in September 2001.

But Patricia Quinn, a registered nurse with IBM Ireland, revealed that the 44-year-old attended the company nurse services in September 2001 and admitted suffering from back problems for several months.

She said no specific work-related incident had been reported that could have caused the back pain.

“He said he had back problems for six to eight months before,” Ms Quinn said.

Ms Quinn, who has 20 years experience as a nurse, said Mr Adekoya was given conservative treatments including pain killers, gel and ice treatment. He was also told to book an appointment with his GP.

She also said he had been passed fit for work at a pre-employment medical.

He was advised not to resume work and was sent to 10 physiotherapy sessions, which IBM paid for.

Mr Adekoya said when he returned to work in December he was put on a three-day week and given a desk job.

He was given a verbal warning by his manager in January 2002 and in the following months he was sent a written warning about his unacceptable level of absence and his failure to follow IBM absent procedure.

After further warning letters over the next two years his salary was suspended in March 2004 and he contacted the Employment Appeals Tribunal.

The hearing continues.