Former Royal Mail manager awarded compensation

A former Royal Mail manager has won compensation of more than £233,000 for his claims of harassment, direct discrimination and victimisation.

Mr Shunmugaraja, who is Hindu, was called a “sly dog” — a term which the tribunal found would be perceived as an insult in many cultures and could have racial connotations. And he was told to use the Muslim prayer room instead of a quiet room that he had booked for a training session, which the tribunal found was discrimination based on perceived religion.

Royal Mail failed to deal adequately with Shunmugaraja’s complaints, initially telling him that they did not accept bullying and harassment complaints from managers against their subordinates.

When he became ill as a result of the harassment and bullying at work, a manager threatened to stop his sick pay if he refused to provide a reasonable explanation for his absence. A month later, Shunmugaraja’s sick pay was stopped and he was dismissed.

Following a remedies hearing, the tribunal made an award for injury to feelings of £27,000 plus £7,500 interest; and £199,000 for past and future losses. The employment judge also ordered the Royal Mail to provide Shunmugaraja with a written apology for his dismissal and to identify the failings in its policies and procedures.

And she ordered the employer to seek union assistance in reviewing its equality training programmes, diversity awareness and bullying and harassment procedures. (Shunmugaraja v Royal Mail Group Ltd ET Case 1601036/2017.)

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5ff4731f8fa8f53b76ccee2a/Mr_M_Shunmugaraja_v_Royal_Mail_Group_Ltd_-_1601036.2017_-_Remedy_Judgment.pdf