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Royal Mail has confirmed that a bullying investigation is still ongoing at a Devon delivery office, more than six months after it started.
The investigation is believed to be linked to an alleged “bullying” incident in the Ivybridge office back last year, which is said to have been the reason staff downed tools on July 17, 2019.
Postal workers told Plymouth Live that colleagues walked out “in support of a colleague”.
Initially, Royal Mail confirmed that it had launched an investigation due to the bullying claims and said it does not tolerate bullying.
Today, six months after the strike, a spokesperson confirmed that it was still not in a position to comment as “investigations are still ongoing”.
It is not known when the investigation will conclude.
After the strike on July 17, Martin Walsh, who is from the Communications Workers Union [CWU], posted a statement in support of the workers at the Ivybridge office.
Mr Walsh said that bullying needs to be given a “bigger focus” and that members in “too many offices are being bullied” and that “enough is enough”.
At the time, Mr Walsh said: “With another office Ivybridge walking out due to bullying we need to give this issue a bigger focus.
“Our members in too many offices are being bullied, whether it is through Royal Mail’s contact strategy, whether it is that the office or individuals are not working in their belief efficiently enough or whether managers are trying to resource by the PDA.”
He added: “Any kind of bullying is unacceptable.
“However managers bullying individuals often using their position of authority to target individuals is the worst of all bullying.
“Surely our members deserve to work in an environment free from bullying and from too many managers resourcing to budget rather than what is needed to provide a service which is based on achieving quality standards.
“Enough is enough we need to act now and say to Royal Mail that the bullying of offices and individuals has to stop.”
Back in July, a Royal Mail spokesperson said: “Royal Mail is currently investigating these allegations.
“As the investigations are ongoing, we won’t comment further. All employees have returned to work and mail deliveries are back to normal, with no delay to the mail.
“Bullying and harassment is not tolerated at Royal Mail.
“There are processes and procedures in place for employees to report it if they feel they are being unfairly treated, including a whistleblowing line.”
