Supervisor overreacted but worker gets formal counselling
The CWU has heard from a worker who was unfairly issued a formal counselling by Post for not following a direction from his manager.
In brief, the worker’s supervisor told him to stop sorting splits and to commence the primary sort. The worker said, “I will just finish this spilt.” “It will only take a couple of minutes.” “Then I will start the primary sort.”
The supervisor overreacted by going to delivery centre manager claiming the worker had failed to follow directions.
Some weeks later the worker gently ribbed the supervisor about the incident. There is nothing wrong with that. It is part of the normal chat or banter in workplaces.
Again the supervisor overreacted. This time getting in the worker’s face, using abusive language and demanding the worker step outside so he could fight him. The worker refused
No formal counselling was issued for the workers’ failure to follow a direction (ie. to step outside) this time!
Curiously, no action was taken against the supervisor despite his bullying and obvious breaches of Post’s “Our Ethics”. Post has a duty to ensure employees are not exposed to intimidating and aggressive behaviour.
The union will seek a review of the formal counselling.
