Daughter of Somerton postman Garth Linham claims stress at work contributed to his death/RM demand uniform back next day

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/some ... ham-340171" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Garth Linham spent months worrying about whether people thought he was a "dirty pervert" after he was "wrongly fired" following a sexual harassment allegation


The daughter of a Somerset postman who died suddenly last year has spoken out about how she believes the stress at his work after he was "wrongly fired" contributed to his death.

Popular Garth Linham was found dead at his home at Camden Road in Somerton on the morning of July 17 last year, having died unexpectedly in his sleep.

His passing prompted an outpouring of grief and mourning within the community, with more than 200 people attending his funeral – dressed in Hawaiian shirts and Liverpool FC jerseys – and with local team Somerton Town FC holding a minute’s silence after his death was announced.

In 2002 Mr Linham suffered a massive heart attack, followed by three smaller attacks on the same day.

He survived but spent the next year off work recovering – which, Danni claims, led to the beginning of problems at his workplace, Royal Mail.

She said: “He had a clean bill of health before his first attack, which happened while he was playing football.

“He was told he would not be allowed to drive a work vehicle by his doctor. Both he and the doctors did not want him to suffer another heart attack whilst driving - this was agreed by the company.

“After this, we felt the company wanted him gone as he was 'too high risk' if it would happen again, and he'd have to have more paid time off work. We think they did not want to make him redundant as they would have to pay out a lot of money.”

Mr Linham required more time off work after suffering a fifth heart attack in 2009, which required him to be fitted with stents.

After returning to work, Danni claimed her father had a very difficult time, culminating in him being suspended for sexual harassment in October 2015 after a formal complaint had been made.

He was fired from his position in February 2016 but he appealed the decision and was reinstated in April after, Danni claims, the allegations turned out to be untrue.

Danni said: “My dad was on hold around for months not knowing what was going to happen. He was worrying he was going to lose his job, worrying he was going to lose our house, his home, and worrying whether people would think he was some sort of dirty pervert. Luckily everyone who knew him knew he was telling the truth and didn't doubt him in the slightest.

“In February, they fired him on the grounds of sexual harassment. My dad was gutted, we all were.

“He worked for the company for over 30 years, this was the first time he had been in trouble, and they got rid of him. He always said they wanted him out as he was poorly.

“Before all this happened he loved his job, he was a real people person. He would always check in on elderly people during his rounds – all the neighbours loved him.”

After Mr Linham was reinstated, no action was taken against the original complainant and he was reassigned to the Langport office to prevent any further disruption.

However, his time in Langport was not happy, with Danni claiming he was made to drive the van on his round – in spite of his medical history.

Danni said: “I feel my dad was treated disgustingly, forcing him to go to a number of different towns to work, in which he didn't know the routes and so he took longer to do his job. He was criticised for not getting the job done as quick as someone who knew the area.

“He was also forced to do van rounds even though medically he was not supposed to. He was constantly worried he would be fired again.”

When Mr Linham died, his cause of death was “a massive coronary event caused by hypertension”.

Danni believes the stress her father was subjected to in his employment led to his premature death.

She said: “All the actual postmen here are great – they came round and see me after they found out. I can’t fault them on that, and will be eternally grateful.

“But the day after my father died, his boss came round and asked for his uniform back, claiming that if I kept it I could be arrested for fraud. It hadn't even been 24 hours since I found him, I didn't even have time to process the loss of my amazing dad let alone think to have his work clothes washed and ready to go.

“I have tried to discuss everything with Royal Mail and explain what I think their actions have done - but as I expected, I feel I have been ignored and pushed to the side.”

Danni had considered legal action but hesitated for fear of losing the house which her father had left to her.

More than a year on, having lived in the same house all her life, Danni is now moving to be closer to her mother.

She says all she wants from Royal Mail now is an apology – and a promise that others will not be treated the same.

She said: “Royal Mail need to treat their staff better – it’s as simple as that.

“Party hard wherever you are Dad. I miss you, I love you, always & forever.”

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “Royal Mail was saddened to hear of the death of one of our employees, Mr Garth Linham, more than a year ago. At the time, one of our senior managers visited Ms Haskins and offered our sincere condolences to the family.

“For safety and security reasons we have to ensure that all uniform is returned. Royal Mail appreciates that this message could have been delivered at a more appropriate time or in a different way. It was not the intention to cause Ms Haskins any distress and we wrote to her about this at the time to apologise.

“Mr Linham’s case was fully investigated and he was reinstated after this investigation. The length of the process was discussed with Mr Linham at the time and he fully understood this followed our national process agreed by the Communication Workers Union and Royal Mail.

“All other matters were investigated fully through this rigorous code of conduct. We also wrote to Ms Haskins last year explaining all these matters fully. The health, safety and wellbeing of all our employees continues to be of paramount importance to Royal Mail.”

[POSTMAN]

POSTMAN PRATS : Daughter left distraught after Royal Mail demands postman dad’s uniform back a day after he DIED

Daughter Danni Haskins said she hadn't even had time to come to terms with her loss when the postal boss came knocking

THE Royal Mail has apologised after demanding a postman’s uniform back the day after he died.

Garth Linham had been a postie for 30 years when he tragically died at just 57-years-old from a heart attack.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4303623/r ... r-he-died/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Lincox]

For safety and security reasons we have to ensure that all uniform is returned.

Really?
I retired and never returned a thing. The shorts and trousers came in very handy for gardening. Still use old shoes for gardening and the old blue shirts were ripped up and used for cleaning car etc.
This company cannot even give out responses to criticisms without lying through their teeth.

[meercat]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... iform.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Royal Mail has apologised after demanding a postman's uniform back - the day after he died.

Much-loved Garth Linham - a postie for 30 years in of Somerton, Somerset - was found dead aged 57 by his daughter Danni Askins after suffering a heart attack.

Ms Haskins said she was still trying to process the loss of her 'amazing' father when a postal boss turned up at her house and demanded his uniform back.

The 24-year-old claims she was told she could be arrested for fraud if she did not return the uniform.

She says Royal Mail said they needed it back for 'safety and security reasons'.

Ms Haskins said: 'It hadn't even been 24 hours since I found him.

[Phantom]

Disgusting and another reason to go on strike cos of c***s like this - the attitude that some of these managers have is dire. Lets give them a kicking!!!

[walkthewalk]

I understand the security aspect but really, I am totally disgusted in my employer I have in the past on this site condemned Royal Mail managers but this is striking a new low on how these cretins have nothing else better to do, hang your heads in shame.

[Tman]

A little perspective is needed here. The actions of the manager, crass thought they were, weren't done maliciously, and probably yet another example of poor communication within RM. He was probably just told that the uniform needed to be collected at some point,and so he just went and did it.
Going on strike for admin errors now?
Really? Now that is a new low...

[POSTMAN]

A little perspective is needed here. The actions of the manager, crass thought they were, weren't done maliciously, and probably yet another example of poor communication within RM. He was probably just told that the uniform needed to be collected at some point,and so he just went and did it.
Going on strike for admin errors now?
Really? Now that is a new low...

How is it an admin error?

[Tman]

Maybe because someone was asked to pick up a deceased member of staff's uniform but wasn't told how long to leave it before calling or when the death had happened?
Many RM staff have died in service but it's never been company policy to get around there ASAP.
We all know RM is crap at it's internal communications.
More to the point, how is it "another reason to go on strike" or "a new low for those "cretins (!) with nothing else better to do"?

[POSTMAN]

So the DOM says to the Lino, Garth died yesterday, can you go and pick up his uniform today as it's a security issue.
How is that an Admin error.

It seems you have no idea how things work in a delivery office.

No one is going on strike for an Admin error, even Phantom.

You post in selected topics, you are of no use to the board why don't you just leave.

[postslippete]

I read this with tears in my eyes. Partly, because we had a postie that died from a cardiac arrest a few years ago, and partly, because we all know that bullying and harassment goes on in delivery offices and everyone has their own of dealing with it. That doesn't make it in any way acceptable though.

Royal Mail are supposed to have a duty of care to their employees but the fact that this postie was put on van duties driving when medically he wasn't supposed to is appalling, but not half as bad as asking for his Uniform back in person the day after he died!! Disgusting to think that this guy has given most of his life for the company and management were treating him like canon fodder. It makes my blood boil.

[Dorset Plodder]

A very sorry story indeed my condolences to the family. Apart from any other aspects of the story it beggars belief that ANYONE would be so insensitive as to call around for the return of any uniform that close to his death.

Whoever told whoever to do this should be disciplined IMO. If I was in the position to be asked to do this I think I'd have objected simply on the grounds of common decency! This Business never ceases to amaze me with it's atrociously low standard of Management, and the associated crap decisions that they make!