Royal Mail postman caught urinating in public was unfairly dismissed, a tribunal has ruled

Royal Mail postmen should not be sacked if they are caught urinating during rounds, a tribunal has suggested, after one worker was dismissed for relieving himself in a lay-by.

Roo Rawal was fired for gross misconduct in 2017 after he was filmed allegedly urinating in a “very busy street” near his depot in Watford, Herts. Mr Rawal had worked for the Royal Mail for 17 years.

Challenging his dismissal at an employment tribunal, postal workers described how public urination had become routine among men and women, adding they were sometimes left with “no option”.

The hearing was told that at least 12 of Mr Rawal’s colleagues had kept their jobs after they were caught relieving themselves, including one postman who urinated next to a front door.

Veteran postman Adam Hicks told the hearing such incidents happen “all the time” because of the nature and circumstances of the role, adding some workers “have no option but to urinate while on duty”.

Mr Rawal was fired following a complaint in September 2017 which included footage of him allegedly urinating in a lay-by.

“It was really upsetting seeing someone doing that on the street, especially someone from a big, famous and professional company as Royal Mail,” the complaint read.

“That’s a very busy street where even children can see him. We can confirm we are still distressed by this disturbing behaviour and we really hope you will do something about it.”

The tribunal concluded Mr Rawal was unfairly dismissed, adding the issue surrounding public urination was “not an uncommon matter”.

The panel said there was no evidence any workers caught urinating had been formally disciplined, and suggested Royal Mail must rank the offence “at the less serious end of the misconduct scale”.

A separate claim for racial discrimination was dismissed. The Telegraph has contacted Royal Mail for comment.

Compensation will be decided at an upcoming hearing.