Helpline to stamp out mail bullies

The Royal Mail says it is determined to stop bullying

A 24-hour helpline is being launched by the Royal Mail in an attempt to prevent workers being bullied.

The confidential telephone helpline will be piloted in Coventry, Birmingham, Oxford and the East Midlands later this month before spreading to the rest of the country.

Royal Mail chairman Allan Leighton is backing the move along with the Communication Workers Union (CWU).

The union has received more than 9,000 calls to its own counselling service over the past two years.

'Investigate complaints'

Complaints have included sexual and physical assault and abusive behaviour.

The union is still investigating 500 complaints from its members.

Three years ago postal worker Jermaine Lee killed himself after he said he was being bullied at the Royal Mail sorting office in Birmingham.

A spokeswoman for the Royal Mail said: "We recognise that we have a problem with bullying and we are absolutely determined to stamp it out.

"We are making a commitment to investigate all complaints and deal with perpetrators within four weeks."

The helpline will be operated by an independent company and callers will speak to trained counsellors.