Postman awarded £22,000 after his flexible hours were changed

A postman has been awarded £22,000 compensation after his arrangement to work flexible hours was altered without his agreement.

The Employment Tribunal heard that Adam Gregory had worked for Royal Mail for more than 20 years. Following his divorce in 2012, he requested that he should only work Monday to Friday to enable him to look after his children at weekends.

The request was granted and the terms of his contract were changed to state that he didn’t have to work Saturdays.

However, in 2015, restructuring took place and Mr Gregory was rostered to a shift pattern that meant working some Saturdays. The change took place while he was on holiday and without his knowledge.

He made a second request for flexible hours.

This was rejected on the grounds of cost and that it would have a detrimental effect on overall performance.

He resigned and claimed constructive dismissal on the basis that the change to his working pattern undermined his trust in the company to the point where he could not continue his employment.

The tribunal found that Royal Mail had breached Mr Gregory’s contract.

Judge Paul Holmes upheld his claim of constructive unfair dismissal and awarded him £22,000 compensation.

Please contact Robert Bedford if you would like more information about the issues raised in this article or any aspect of employment law.