WITNO0340105
WITNO00340105
The comniunications union
Our Ref: AF/LS/106
Headquarters: 160 The Broadway I Wimbledon I SW19 1RX I
Date: 21% March 2018 T “HPL www.cwu.org
“W Group: Communication Workers Union
Paula Vennells 2 @cWUnews
Group Chief Executive From the office of Andy Furey Assis
Post Office Limited Email: afureyé
Finsbury Dials
20 Finsbury Street
London ‘
EC2Y 9AQ
Direct line:
Dear Paula
_ILLANDUDNO CROWN - PRECAUTIONARY SUSPENSION
I am taking the unusual step of writing to you regarding a potential discipline case that
was brought to my attention only yesterday. As a consequence of the events described
below, I am seeking your intervention to resolve this matter without further delay as I
am genuinely worried about the wellbeing of the member concerned who has been
subjected to precautionary suspension for the last 9 weeks.
The background to the case is tha’ who is 61 years old and has worked for the
Post Office for a considerable numbe: ars, was given a formal warning last year for
a counter loss of £80. This is my first area of concern as I fundamentally believe it is
totally inappropriate to award a disciplinary penalty for a loss of this nature_as i
essentially contravenes the “Losses and Gains Procedure”. Against this backdrop; GRO :
unfortunately incurred a further loss of £450 on 12™ January. Incredibly, / GRO
recognising she had made an accounting error, decided to personally make good thé Toss
of £450 and through her sacted two payments via her savings and bank
accounts. I fully accept that} has compounded the initial accounting error by using
_her own money to make up for the loss of revenue to the Post Office. However, whilst
GRO action in making good the loss from her own personal money is inappropriate,
she was extremely worried” about being subjected to further disciplinary acl
consequence of the £450 loss, having been disciplined only last year for an £80 loss.
Had the original disciplinary penalty not been awarded, in all probability would
have acted very differently. At the fact finding interview, was totally honest about
her actions and said she was “embarrassed” by the £450 loss and stated “I realised I
had made a mistake and I was really worried.”
I am not privy to all the details surrounding this case as our Sector Representative is
currently abroad on annual leave. I am though aware that 7 has been
precautionary suspended from duty sii Monday 15" January. I havé to say, I am
extremely concerned with the way! “thas been treated in this regard. Indeed I
shudder to think how she is feelin can well imagine that she is exceptionally
stressed and is feeling anxious for her future. I acknowledge that no disciplinary penalty
has been awarded as yet; however, I am struggling to understand what benefit there is
to the Post Office and certainly to the individual for the use of precautionary suspension.
Basically, the Post Office has been paying for the last 9 weeks whilst she remains
General Secretary: Dave Ward
@ Facebook: Dave Ward CWU © @DaveWardGS
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at home, which has obviously cost the Post Office significantly more than the initial £450
loss. This doesn’t make good commercial sense bearing in mind she hasn’‘t stolen any
money. Clearly she poses no threat or risk to the funds of the Post Office. Furthermore
ried that justification for the lengthy period of suspension may ultimately result
being dismissed. Also, there has to be consideration given towards a human
wellbéing perspective which should be applied in circumstances of this nature.
I understand the initial date for the discipline hearing had to be postponed due to the
extreme weather conditions, which is fair enough. However, this has simply meant that
the period of precautionary suspension has been extended, which to my mind doesn’t
make any sense whatsoever.
As a consequence of the above, I would encourage you to ensure thai GRO! restored
to duty without further delay, the disciplinary case is dropped as: G' {e)
is no doubt
suffered enough as a result of the precautionary suspension and that the £450 is
refunded to! GRO /as it was inappropriate for her to use her own personal money to
make good this I6sS. In regard to the use of the discipline procedure for counter losses,
representations have been made to your IR team as we have an agreed Losses and
Gains Procedure that should be followed in all instances unless theft is suspected. A
response is awaited.
I sincerely hope you are able to look favourably o
Yours sincerely
Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary
cc. Debbie Smith - Chief Executive, Retail
Roger Gale — Sales and Trade Marketing Director
John Whitefoot - Employee Relations Policy Director