A GRIEVING shop manager claims he was sacked after taking five days off following the sudden death of his partner's mother.

Ryan Hall was stunned to receive a letter from bosses of Music Zone stating he was being dismissed for "gross misconduct".

Now, the 29-year-old has accused the company of lacking compassion after being sacked from his post as manager of Music Zone's shop in Princess Parade, Bury.

But this week, the company denied the claim and said it would meet with Mr Hall regarding what it described as "some confusion over why he went missing from work".

Earlier this month, the shop manager, who had held the post at Music Zone since February, was devastated when partner Debbie Allen's mother, Jean, died suddenly at the age of 49 just days before she was due to get married.

Mr Hall was sharing a home with Mrs Allen and Debbie in Rawtenstall when the death occurred. But his partner was in Australia when her mother died.

He said: "Immediately following the death, I phoned the company and told them I'd be off. I was told they'd sort it out and get cover if need be.

"I took five days off. The following week I'd already booked off because that was the week Jean was due to marry. I used that week to get my head together after what had happened."

But before he was due to return to work, Mr Hall received a letter informing him he was being dismissed.

"They said the reason was gross misconduct for failing to give them the exact time and date I'd be returning to work," he said. "Unfortunately, because of the stress I'd been under, this wasn't the first thing which came to mind."

Mr Hall is both angry and upset at the action taken by his employers, particularly given the sensitive nature of his absence.

"I got in touch with my regional manager and said I wanted to know why I was being sacked. He wouldn't say anything over the phone. I felt he was trying to fob me off. I wasn't able to get any time to plead my case and no-one has conducted an investigation. No-one phoned me and I feel the whole situation has lacked compassion."

He says his record as manager of the Bury shop was exemplary. "We'd received 100 per cent success in the 'mystery shopper' award and there was no other reason to sack me."

In a statement to the Bury Times, Russ Grainger of Stockport-based Music Zone said: "We are currently waiting to meet Mr Hall regarding some confusion over why he went missing from work.

"The circumstances relating to his absence have only just become apparent, which is why it is important that no conclusions are drawn until our meeting takes place."

He added: "We were obviously sympathetic towards Mr Hall's situation, but due to no fault of our own, we were unable to gain the relevant information from him."

The day after the company spoke to the Bury Times, Mr Hall received a letter promising a meeting would be held once the investigation was concluded.