Mr J Singh v Royal Mail Group Limited — 2025

The claimant was summarily dismissed after posting an online letter and petition about alleged bullying and harassment at Royal Mail, asking colleagues to support it, and sending the petition link to Mr Patel. The respondent treated the conduct as breaches of its business standards and social media policies, including public allegations about managers and conduct said to affect a colleague directly.

The tribunal found that the dismissing manager and appeal manager genuinely believed the claimant had committed the alleged gross misconduct, had reasonable grounds for that belief, and had carried out a reasonable investigation and fair procedure. It accepted that the decision makers considered the claimant's long service, health and mitigation, but were also entitled to consider his answers during the process, lack of remorse, and their concern that similar conduct might continue.

The tribunal held that dismissal was within the band of reasonable responses. It also considered the claimant's freedom of expression argument, but found the respondent's response reasonable and proportionate in light of the impact on the respondent's reputation and on Mr Patel. The unfair dismissal claim was therefore dismissed, and contributory fault did not need to be considered.