RE: ROYAL MAIL GROUP REVISED B&H PROCEDURE - UPDATE

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Letter to Branches




No. 337/2013
Ref: PTC/RE/srh/410
Date: 16 May 2013


TO ALL BRANCHES WITH POSTAL MEMBERS


Dear Colleague

RE: ROYAL MAIL GROUP REVISED BULLYING AND HARASSMENT PROCEDURE AGREEMENT

The text of the revised Bullying and Harassment Procedure was copied to Branches with LTB 173/2013.

Following further discussions with Royal Mail it has been confirmed that the revised agreement will be launched with effect from 1 July this year. Consultation will take place on standard letters to respondent, complainant and witness prior to 1 July and a jointly agreed slide pack will be produced for managers and representatives.

An issue has arisen over provision of information in current cases.

The revised procedure is clear that “the complainant and respondent will be provided with copies of all the relevant information relating to the case. Documents will be reviewed to ensure that personal details e.g. telephone numbers, home addresses are removed. Anonymisation should only be considered where the Investigating Manager believes there is a real fear of intimidation or reprisal where a specific, legitimate request for anonymity has been made by a witness”.

It appears that HR guidance has been issued in a recent case that statements “would not be made available without the witnesses agreement and the names of others in any statements would be likely to be removed”. We have pointed out to the business that the principle of full provision of relevant information has been agreed going forward with anonymisation only in specific and legitimate circumstances. We have therefore suggested that in cases currently in progress that principle should be applied and we have asked for HR guidance to reflect the revised position with immediate effect.

If Branches or Representatives experience any further problem in this respect I would be grateful if they would contact my department immediately.

Any enquiries should be addressed to Ray Ellis’s department, quoting reference PTC/RE/srh/410. Email address: rellis@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Ray Ellis
Assistant Secretary