Man ‘degraded’ by Asda delivery driver awarded four-figure payout
A man who was left feeling ‘degraded’ by what an Asda delivery driver allegedly said to him has reportedly received a four-figure payout.
Necati Ayhan, 22, ordered his shopping to be delivered to his home on Lord Street in Southport town centre on October 31.
He said that when the delivery arrived, the driver asked for his help in carrying the shopping up the stairs.
However, Necati, who has fibromyalgia, autism, and other medical conditions, had to explain to the driver that he was unable to do so due to being disabled.
Necati claims he heard the delivery driver say ‘disabled my a**e,’ before heading back to the van to retrieve more of the order.
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In a voice recording heard by the Liverpool Echo, Necati challenges the comment to which the driver replies: ‘You don’t look disabled to me.’
After a continued disagreement, Necati told the delivery driver to return the shopping to the store.
Necati described the incident as ‘shocking’, which made him feel ‘degraded, embarrassed, and terrible.’
He told the Echo: ‘It would have been completely different if I had been in a wheelchair. I actually have a wheelchair, I need it when I go out, but not when I’m at home.’
Following the incident, he got a taxi to the store at Central Twelve Shopping Park, where he made a complaint.
He was reportedly offered a £30 voucher to cover the travel costs, and that he would not be notified of the complaint’s outcome.
Days later, Necati was told that the delivery driver who allegedly made the comments had left the company.
The email sent to Necati said: ‘I have been advised that the driver has been in a disciplinary and has now stepped down from the role.
‘He will no longer be working as a delivery driver. We appreciate you letting us know about this because customer service is important.
‘I have asked Stephen to remind his drivers of the need to be as helpful as possible and to be courteous at all time.’
It is understood that Asda has since paid Necati a four-figure settlement in relation to the incident, the Liverpool Echo reported.
Metro has approached Asda for comment.
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