suspension

[MISHOCAT]

i've now been suspended for 8 weeks on full pay but i've heard nothing from my manager since 11/10/10. i am not in the union so i'm a bit lost as to the procedure.how long can they keep me suspended without informing me as to what they are doing about my case? i am suspended for apparantley bringing R.M. into disrepute by allegedly posting stuff onto facebook

[chickenwittle]

should of joined union instead of fishing around here for free advice

[MISHOCAT]

would you join an organisation where the rep has tried to have 3 union members sacked because she does not like them?

[omega753]

Yes I would as you could always go to an area rep if not happy with office rep.

[Thehair]

If you get sacked, you won't be the first or the last for facebook postings, RM or any other company for that matter.
And I'd have joined the union too, at least you wouldn't be defending your case on your jack...Good luck

[fishtank]

The first thing i would have questioned was the use of Precautionary Suspension.
I can't see why a disrepute charge would necessitate your removal from the workplace.
It's not as if the Mail Integrity was at risk or you were a danger to your colleagues.

[noggin1969]

Simple social networking site rules

[fmrPOSTIE]

I have to agree regarding being Suspended from Duty. I cant see a need to Precautionary Suspend you for posting comments about RM on facebook, unless the comments posed a risk to the integrity of the mail. ?

[jockstrapp]

I wish the arseh0les would suspend me for eight weeks on full pay, especially coming upto Christmas pressure.

[Pat Ostman]

Something is not right here, as mentioned you are not a threat to the mail or staff, unless the postings were threats? The only thing they could go for is whistle-blowing and I do believe you have rights there. Official secrets act may apply although whether FaceBook is deemed the correct place to blow your whistles is up for debate.

Examples of the type of malpractice which is covered by the Act include:

criminal offences
non-compliance with the law
miscarriage of justice
danger to health and safety
environmental damage.

http://www.worksmart.org.uk/rights/what ... le_blowing" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Royal Mail would need to prove YOU (and nobody else) posted the statement and that would be very difficult. Lets say, for example, your account was hacked? Facebook will not give RM the proof so dont either.

[brothermagrew]

The folowing should also be borne in mind:

Under Section 1 of the Malicious Communications Act 1998 it is an offence to send an indecent, offensive or threatening letter, electronic communication or other article to another person and under Section 43 of the Telecommunications Act 1984 it is a similar offence to send a telephone message that is indecent, offensive or threatening.

The fact that an offensive telephone call, letter e-mail etc. may be received in the course of work and have been sent by a work colleague or manager does not justify the message or prevent it being an offence. Offensive messages sent within the workplace can still constitute criminal offences.
If the e-mails, cyber-bullying etc. causes the victim to fear that violence will be used against them then the police can choose to charge the offender with an offence contrary to Section 4 of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 which is punishable with up to five years imprisonment and also allows the Court to make a Restraining Order.

If the e-mails, cyber-bullying etc. is racialist in nature or motivated by religious hostility then charges could be brought of Racially or Religiously Aggravated Harassment contrary to Sections 32(1)(a) or 32(1)(b) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.

Whilst we do not know or indeed are not party to whatever MISHOCAT actually or allegedly posted onto Facebook, for to be suspended for apparently bringing Royal Mail into disrepute one can only surmise that some form of offensive or derogatory comments may have been made by electronic communication in the form of a posting on Facebook.

[POSTMAN]

should of joined union instead of fishing around here for free advice

May i,RMC is for everyone who works in Royal Mail,union members or not.

[MISHOCAT]

i allegedly refered to a person as an idle arse lickin w****r and the boss as a bumchum because a person was allowed to start work many hours late after a nite on the beer and receive help to complete the delivery whilst leaving half the mail for someone else to redeliver the following day. nowhere on face book does it mention any names including royal mail. my front page does not mention that i work for R.M. and yes my account has been hacked by another person who fortunately for him does not work for R.M. i am also unsure of procedure as i heard nothing for a total of 6weeks (no cotact whatsoever)

[graffi]

Your suspension is reviewed after 48hours then reasonable time after that !!! If you google Royal Mail conduct code it's all in there or go to downloads on here ,,,, 6 weeks without contact !!

[borisblank]

Interesting.

I'm no expert but a post on Facebook is not an email or a telephone call - telephones calls and emails are specifically addressed to an individual and can be traced back to the sender/caller. I would certainly argue that;

a) someone else posted the information (how and why you have no idea but there are other people in your house that could have accessed the computer no doubt)

b) Someone must have specifically looked at your Facebook to find the information, so why did they do that and who was it (i.e. somebody possibly has it in for you and is looking to harrass you)

c) In what way does it bring RM into disrepute if RM isn't mentioned, it could have been directed at the US Postal Service or Deutche Post, who can tell.

As mentioned above, they need to prove that you wrote it, that it was directed at RM and that it does bring them into disrepute.