FACTORY worker Lee Walton has criticised Wellington company Relyon over the way he was treated after his father died.

Lee worked at the bed maker full-time for nearly 18 months, the first year as an agency worker with The Best Connection in Taunton, and then on the firm’s books.

His father died earlier this month and he took four days off work to make funeral arrangements and so on.

He said the company grants staff four paid days leave for the death of a close family member but when he returned to work he was told he was five days short of completing his probation period and therefore would not be paid for the time off he had taken.

Lee, 32, from Oake, who has now left the company, said he had only taken two days off sick in his time with the Relyon. “I’m a reliable worker, I work hard and I’m always on time – and I think this is so wrong,” he said. He added that he has an autistic son and wondered how the company would respond if he had to pick his child up early from school.

Lee said: “I don’t think it’s fair on my children if I have to work for a company that’s not willing to pay what I am entitled to.”

In a statement Relyon said: “Unfortunately, the company cannot comment on the full details of individual cases.

“However, Relyon is an ethical and responsible employer that takes the welfare of its employees seriously.

“Our policies and guidelines are reviewed regularly to ensure that they are fair to all employees, particularly with regards to bereavement.”