LTB 278/24 – Raising Concerns-The following bullet points were some of the reasons why we felt it necessary to negotiate a new approach which will address these problems.

[POSTMAN]

https://www.cwu.org/ltb/ltb-278-24-raising-concerns/

LTB 278/24 – Raising Concerns
LTB 278/24

19th August 2024

Dear Colleagues,

RAISING CONCERNS

We are pleased to inform Branches we have concluded negotiations with Royal Mail on a replacement for the Grievance and Bullying and Harassment Procedures. This was endorsed by the Postal Executive on the 16th of July, following consultations with Field Representatives.

The starting point for our negotiations was the overwhelming perception of our members that both the Grievance and B&H procedures were no longer fit for purpose and being applied in their best interests.

The following bullet points were some of the reasons why we felt it necessary to negotiate a new approach which will address these problems.

• Firstly, the processes caused confusion – what is a B&H complaint and what is a grievance? Many of our members did not know the difference. It will now be the investigating Manager who decides the concern, removing the need for the individual to make this determination.

• The former procedures were time consuming – there were lots of process steps that did not add any value, but only added to a case taking longer

• Our members were left dissatisfied with the way their concern was dealt with or categorised including little or no investigation

• Two tier – B&H is seen as the more ‘superior’ process – grievance seen as less important

• There is no form for raising a grievance – many complaints were not even recorded.

• Informal resolution/mediation not always considered as an option before a concern is raised formally

• Lack of manager accountability to investigate – particularly perceived this way for grievance – managers were not held to account and often did not investigate.

• A constant fear of recriminations for colleagues – many cases ended up being dealt with ‘in bad faith’ and members facing disciplinary action

To improve this, we have negotiated a single approach for all concerns and complaints, which hopefully will lead to:

• All concerns and complaints being taken seriously, transparently and managed consistently through the same process, in a timely manner and with the same timescales.

• Managers will be held accountable for dealing with concerns raised.

• There will be greater visibility of case status which can be tracked by members to see what is happening with their concern at any time during the process.

• A single form for all concerns which is easy to complete and submitted through the People App, or alternatively via a call to the HRSC on 0345 6060603.

• Cases will be recorded in People Case Manager with a step-by-step guide for Managers.

• Contact by the investigating Manager within 5 days of the concern being raised with an invitation to a meeting within 14 days.

We genuinely believe the new single approach will be of positive benefit to our members, where all concerns will be taken seriously, and Managers will be tasked to resolve them as quickly as possible.

The plan is to introduce the new approach from 30th September 2024.

In line with the Unions protocols on new agreements, we intend to consult with Branches via a Branch Ballot.

Ballot papers will be sent out tomorrow (20th August) and should be returned by Monday 9th September.

As part of the Consultation process, we will be holding an online briefing for all branches on Thursday 22nd August commencing @ 10:30am and concluding no later than 12:30pm.

If the agreement is endorsed, it is our intention to include this in the Postal agreements course as soon as possible along with an online version for our Reps to be brought up to speed.

https://cwu-org.zoom.us/meeting/registe ... iqFcUYfUtC

Any enquiries to this LTB please contact: The PTCS Department, email address: khay@cwu.org or hmaughan@cwu.org

Bobby Weatherall

Acting Assistant Secretary

[redlen]

"What is a B&H complaint and what is a grievance"?

Can I ask, what is the difference?

The CWU yet again bury its head in the sand and fails to give clarity.

[redlen]

What has that got to do with the question being asked?

[Barnacle]

What isn’t included in this briefing is any detail on who actually deals with the complaint? Is it the same people who have been failing with the current system?

The other issue is that access to this new procedure is via the People App. An awful lot of staff do not engage with the app at all. Are staff going to be forced to install the app or will there be another way to access the grievance procedure?

[postslippete]

You don't have to go through the app, you can still ring up HR and the complaint will be logged. I'm assuming with old grievance forms that they weren't looked at by management in that office which lead to a 2nd grievance form being put in etc etc

But you're right about the same people that could be involved in failing with the current system because they have left it up to the investigating manager to decide whether the concern is bullying/harassment or a grievance. You can actually ring up ACAS and get free advice - does their opinion of bullying supersede that of the investigating managers? Some of their examples of bullying specified by ACAS include:


- deliberately giving someone a heavier workload than everyone else
- constantly criticising someone's work
- constantly putting someone down in meetings
- spreading malicious rumours about someone


https://www.acas.org.uk/bullying-at-work


I've highlighted the first point because in our office many new starts are often thrown on duties with 2+ days of mail whereas fixed duty holders are only ever doing one days worth and rarely have to deliver 2 days worth of mail. In fact, many of them will only ever do any overtime IF it's on their own duty so that they know it's clear.....

[Barnacle]

Yes, the first one is repeatedly done to reserves in our office too, or sending them out with overtime that can’t be completed within the time they are being paid for and then making them feel useless for being unable to complete it or they do complete it and feel entirely harassed and taken advantage of.

[Kaiser_soze]

What isn’t included in this briefing is any detail on who actually deals with the complaint? Is it the same people who have been failing with the current system?

The other issue is that access to this new procedure is via the People App. An awful lot of staff do not engage with the app at all. Are staff going to be forced to install the app or will there be another way to access the grievance procedure?

If you think people don’t have the app perhaps ask around your office and I think you’ll find that most people have it since it was the only way to access payslips. I reckon in our office atleast 9 out of 10 have it if not more.

[Barnacle]

What isn’t included in this briefing is any detail on who actually deals with the complaint? Is it the same people who have been failing with the current system?

The other issue is that access to this new procedure is via the People App. An awful lot of staff do not engage with the app at all. Are staff going to be forced to install the app or will there be another way to access the grievance procedure?

If you think people don’t have the app perhaps ask around your office and I think you’ll find that most people have it since it was the only way to access payslips. I reckon in our office atleast 9 out of 10 have it if not more.

I don’t think that people don’t have the app. I’m saying that there is a core group who do not have the app or they do have it and don’t use it at all - they still go into the office to ask about their holidays and to order uniform.

[POSTMAN]

https://www.cwu.org/ltb/ltb-302-24-rais ... agreement/

LTB 302/24 – Raising Concerns Agreement
No. 302/2024

10 September 2024

TO: ALL BRANCHES WITH POSTAL MEMBERS

Dear Colleagues,

Raising Concerns Agreement

We are very pleased to announce and inform Branches that the Raising Concerns Agreement has now been endorsed.

The result of the ballot is as follows:-

• Accept the Agreement: 59,683

• Against the Agreement: 12,213

• Spoilt Papers: 0

• Total Ballot Papers received: 47

• Total Ballot Papers dispatched: 102

Branches should be advised the Agreement is due to go live on the 30th of September.

We have already shared a copy of the Agreement when we sent the Ballot Papers out, we will now prepare a further signed copy, along with a copy of the Procedure and Management Guidelines to send to Branches in advance of the launch date.

We will also liaise with the Communications department in order to produce any further necessary documentation so Branches and Members are fully supported before the 30th.

Any enquiries on this LTB should be addressed to the PTCS department, email lpietrzykowska@cwu.org.

Your sincerely

Bobby Weatherall
Acting Assistant Secretary

[Moose67]

What ballot papers

[yellowbelly]

That result is disgusting in as much as that out of 102 ballots despatched to branches only 47 were returned!

What the hell are branches playing at?

How many members actually knew a branch vote was taking place and were part of the process?

[Barnacle]

That result is disgusting in as much as that out of 102 ballots despatched to branches only 47 were returned!

What the hell are branches playing at?

How many members actually knew a branch vote was taking place and were part of the process?

It was all sent out really late and no one had a chance to raise issues. I have issues with this new process but it’s too late to do anything.

[SpacePhoenix]

That result is disgusting in as much as that out of 102 ballots despatched to branches only 47 were returned!

What the hell are branches playing at?

How many members actually knew a branch vote was taking place and were part of the process?

Should this have really been a national vote of all members?

[Barnacle]

That result is disgusting in as much as that out of 102 ballots despatched to branches only 47 were returned!

What the hell are branches playing at?

How many members actually knew a branch vote was taking place and were part of the process?

Should this have really been a national vote of all members?

Was this discussed with us at all and I missed it? There was a LTB sent out in August but the deadline for discussions had already ended on the same day

[Newandscared]

Suggestion would be that next time anything that affects the workers takes place that letters are sent directly to the employees home addresses, it's far to easy for people that know a ballot it forthcoming to remove items or "accidentally" forget to inform people in time. Better still a union rep actually present themselves to the workplace and make sure they speak to all employees. I've been with RM just over 2 months now and still not been approached by my local union rep, or had any probationary period feedback etc....isn't that part of the new joiner package??? (I would ask my LM but I think I'd rather fly under the radar as much as possible because I need reasonable adjustments and need to make sure I keep my job)