Unite accuse Royal Mail of draconian practices
25 July 2008
Unite the union has today (Friday 25 July) accused Royal Mail’s
flagship office of misusing security systems to help track peoples
attendances in order to dismiss employees and increase profit.
Mike Sibley, Royal Mail’s Head of
Operations for Heathrow Worldwide Distribution Centre in Berkshire
recently stated in the national press that he is tackling absence
through rigorous management in order to increase profits.
Mr Sibley was quoted as saying, ‘Royal
Mail has a check in/ check out system installed for security
reasons. This allows us to keep track of people’s absences and spot
patterns. Sometimes, showing a worker proof of an absence
pattern is enough to change behaviour. When that isn’t
enough, dismissal can become the only option.’
This approach has resulted in low
staff morale, confirmed over these last few years in there own
independent employee opinion surveys, high turnover of staff and
volatile employee relations. It is this same simple minded
approach that has not allowed Mr Sibley to explore other areas
linked to absenteeism such as Health and Safety, working conditions
and staff involvement and participation.
Mike Sibley claims that he has saved
£300, 000 in the first 6 months in this more rigorous approach.
Paul Reuter, Unite National Officer
said: “The statement made recently in the National Press by one of
the senior managers at HWDC highlights the draconian and
dictatorial approach being adopted by Royal Mail. They would
be better suited in involving their staff and engaging with the
trade unions to help resolve these issues.
“Royal Mail needs to get to the root
of the problem and stop this short term detrimental effect.
Royal Mail needs to come into the modern era and get one step ahead
of the competition. After all, it is the people that make the
profits and it is this foundation that will be paramount in
ensuring our survival within the deregulated market.”
-Ends-
Note to Editors:
- References made to press release in The Times 25th
May 2008 – Stress Link between Absence and Profit.
- Royal Mail HWDC has a weekly attrition of 2-3 staff per
week.
- Recent Have Your Say Results for Managers (employee opinion
surveys) say 22% of staff have been Bullied and Harassed (April
2008) in October 2007 it was 21%
