Residents of Birmingham have shared varied opinions following the dismissal of Abdul Bashir, an RAC repairman, after footage emerged showing him greeting Raise the Colours founder Ryan Bridge.
The 52-year-old from Saltley was dismissed earlier this month after a disciplinary hearing concluded that he should have been en route to a breakdown call rather than stopping to interact with Bridge.
The video, posted online on 26 July, shows Mr Bashir, dressed in his RAC uniform, standing beside an RAC vehicle at Blythe Valley Business Park in Solihull alongside Mr Bridge. Mr Bashir explained that he and Bridge have been friends for between ten and fifteen years.
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Speaking to BirminghamLive previously, Mr Bashir expressed his disappointment at losing his job, describing himself as “gutted”. However, the RAC stated that his dismissal was due to “multiple breaches of road traffic law, health and safety requirements, and company policy.”
The social media post prompted hundreds of comments from local residents. Philip Alexander commented: “People need to start reading their employment contract, there’s a whole section usually covering social media etc; anything that can give the company a bad name they can sack you for.”
Shakina Queenie Stewart added: “Work for a household brand and you have to deal with the consequences.”
Others, however, questioned the fairness of the decision. Peter Beadsworth asked: “How is it giving the company a bad name?” while Jo Tyrrell suggested: “Warning yeah, straight sacking no.”
Graeme Stinson described Mr Bashir’s dismissal as “ridiculous”, noting: “He only pulled over and said hello to Ryan whom he’s known for years.”
Dylan McAndrew replied: “He was meant to be on his way to a job, mate.”
John Nevill commented: “You wear the uniform, you represent the company.”
The RAC provided further details to BirminghamLive, stating that Mr Bashir’s conduct included “illegally stopping a patrol vehicle in a live lane, delaying attendance to a stranded member, standing unsafely between two vehicles, and directing a colleague to perform an unlawful manoeuvre.”
The company emphasised that the safety of its members, colleagues, and other road users is paramount and that appropriate action is taken when conduct fails to adhere to legal and company standards.
They concluded by affirming that the reasons for dismissal were fully communicated to Mr Bashir following a thorough investigation.