unfair dissmissal from royal mail

kerryberry1

COULD ANYONE GIVE ME SOME ADVICE PLEASE,gonna start from beginnin....husband is a postman and has worked with the royal mail for nine years.Last month he forgot to deliver a bundle of letters that he had accidently left in the pouch box:eek:genuine mistake by the way-he was totally horrified when he was told about the bundle being found as he prides himself on his work....anyway..he was pulled in the office,told about the bundle of mail being found undelivered and the he was suspended on full pay until the investigation had took place.Now he has been dissmissed for willful delaybut it wasnt it was just forgetting to do something-genuine mistake.anyone any knowledge on this sort of thing...he is goin to appeal..do you think he would get compensation for unfair dissmissal???

Top_Banana_2

It's not unfair dismissal if he broke the rules of the job.

I wish him well.

LinasPilibaitisisbatman

No because he was guilty of what he did.

I am pretty sure delaying mail is also illegal. Whilst he claims it was a genuine mistake its very hard to prove and looks like he was simply not doing his job.

hieveryone

I wouldn't have thought they would do that for a first time offence - was this a regular occurence??

kerryberry1

no first offence

ohreally

Did he have union representation at the hearing?

needaspirin

He needs to write a grievance letter at once. If he is not satisfied with the result he should contact ACAS on 08457474747. It is now the job of ACAS to mediate and refer to an employment tribunal where appropriate.

kerryberry1

yes he did have a union rep wi him

ohreally

He needs to make contact with his trade union and request support to lodge an appeal. Time is of the essence in doing this.

dmg24

needaspirin wrote: »

He needs to write a grievance letter at once. If he is not satisfied with the result he should contact ACAS on 08457474747. It is now the job of ACAS to mediate and refer to an employment tribunal where appropriate.

A grievance is not relevant, he needs to follow the appeals procedure.

OP, do you have a copy of the disciplinary policy? Does this stipulate this situation as gross dismissal (it does not have to be, but it would be more clear cut if it was)?

In the absence of other factors, it does seem extreme to be dismissed for such an offence. However, it is difficult to give more definitive advice without being familiar with RM procedures.

hieveryone

Also, how was this found out? Did another driver find the mail? How long was the delay in getting it to the recipients?