In a recent turn of events, Gordon Askew, a member of the branch executive committee at HMRC's Benton Park View branch in Newcastle, was dismissed. The grounds for this dismissal were cited as 'potential' computer misuse.
Background
The dismissal followed a series of targeted strike actions taken by the branch, including three national days of strike action. In the aftermath of these strikes, HMRC launched an investigation into two Newcastle-based representatives.
The Charge
The charge against Askew was a 'potential' breach of the department's IT policy. This was allegedly due to a Microsoft Teams message sent to a number of PCS members, relating to the strike action. The department’s decision maker claimed that Microsoft Teams had been used “without a legitimate business reason”.
The Decision
Despite Askew's nearly thirty years of spotless service to the department, the decision maker opted for dismissal. It was stated that a lesser penalty was considered, but the decision to sack Askew was made because he didn’t appear to be sorry enough for what he had done.
A History of Dismissals
This is not the first time that a PCS representative has been dismissed by HMRC management in Newcastle. In 2017, the branch organiser was sacked for emailing the branch membership list from his work email account to his personal account². Despite PCS arguing that a PCS rep emailing PCS material from work to home was not a matter for the department, the dismissal proceeded. However, PCS was successful in securing the rep’s reinstatement.
Next Steps
PCS is currently discussing the next steps with their Legal Department. A meeting for all members of the branch will be held on 10 April to discuss the response to the sacking.
Conclusion
This incident raises questions about the treatment of union representatives and the interpretation of IT policies within HMRC. It underscores the importance of clear communication and fair treatment in the workplace. As the situation unfolds, PCS members and observers alike will be keenly watching the developments.
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No sympathy. When I worked for HMRC, scummy pcs union reps collaborated with HMRC management to get bullies off the hook - at the expense of real, human victims. You reap what you sow.
ReplyDeleteSo did this particular rep, or indeed branch, "collaborate" with management in some nefarious plot? I'm guessing the answer to that is that you don't know. But, hey, let's not let anything get in the way of your psychotic hatred.
DeleteOn another note can I say a genuine 'thank you' to Ken for opening this thread. Having read this site for many years I am guessing that he is probably not a huge fan of unions in general or the PCS in particular. To highlight this grotesque injustice therefore requires a certain class.
My sympathy is always with the victims of injustice and I will fight tooth and nail for them - not bullies, psychopaths, enablers and their lame sycophants.
DeleteFrom everything I have read, this PCS rep did use HMRC systems to communicate union information. The rules are pretty clear and, while I feel for anyone who loses their job (even though PCS don't give two flying f*cks about regular members' lives and livelihoods), it's difficult to justify those who commit misconduct.
Union reps should *never* be untouchable. If that's "hatred" then I do feel sorry for you too.
Every post you make on here is dripping with hatred, bitterness and self-pity.
DeleteYou will "fight tooth and nail" but apparently not to the point of informing the police about criminal offences.
And I certainly don't want your type feeling sorry for me.
Oh course it is why are you surprised. Go to police are you joking with what evidence even your friends turn a blind eye.You are a one man band in HMRC complie or die inside or run. I ran and tried my best to avoid each and eeveryone.
DeleteThe phrase "with what evidence" just about says it all really.
DeleteI've always worked in private sector jobs my whole life , agree with what you say - - no sympathy
DeleteAs for the rest of the comments whatever sort of helmets work for HMRC. Feckless misfit's who belong on the funny farm , nutters ...
Some relatives did a long time working for HMRC, always said it's such a nasty place to work with some very peculiar colleagues. Sounds like a hell hole.
DeleteI wonder how many Personal Cases he dealt with, how many grievances?
ReplyDeleteI don't know the full details but it still stinks.
You're right about the Draconian 'IT Policies ' in HMRC. The shit people have gotten away with over the years, swept under the rug or dealt with by a 'sideways move'.
Nellthorp and his band of filthy cronies to name a few.
What is "Nellthorpe and his filthy band of cronies", please?
DeleteMark Nelthorpe was a senior manager in HMRC who was sacked about 5 years ago for sexual harassment of female staff. Another member of staff was sacked, and several more investigated, for enabling his behaviour.
DeleteA nutter calling himself Paul Garlick used to post on here about the case claiming to have information that would bring down the government, the royal family, the UN, the Vatican etc, etc, etc. Surprise, surprise, nothing happened and he eventually disappeared from the scene. No doubt assassinated by MI5.
There will be many who can testify that PCS have significantly contributed to the HMRC culture that has led to HMRC's heartless, thuggish and, in other cases, wholly unfair treatment of people. PCS have stood on the sidelines when innocent people with spotless records have been sentenced to career death simply because a psychotic manager has taken out their frustration with life on them. But, arrogant people never think it'll be 'one of their own' who suffers from the same culture. Shameless scumbags.
ReplyDeleteAnd when HMRC achieve their ambition of getting PCS out of the department altogether then working life there will be absolutely wonderful.
DeleteRight?
Rachel Reeves is today saying that when Labour get put into office they will 'close the tax gap' and quickly 'ramp up HMRC staff numbers'.
ReplyDeleteWasn't it the last Labour government that began closing tax offices across Britain?
Yes. Which means, don't believe them.
DeleteThey lie and that's the only Truth.
I work in insurance. If we misused company computers, we would be sacked. Not a huge fan of HMRC but they've done nothing wrong here.
ReplyDeleteSomething smells a bit off about PCS whining about it all over their socials...the lady doth protest too much.
ReplyDeleteHmrc have made their decision, if they've got it wrong matey boy has legal options available to protest about it.
Yea looking forward to the publication of the full employment tribunal’s decision to assess it. Why go on socials and not there?
DeleteWhy? Because PCS are utterly useless tossers.
DeleteFFS , cry me a river. My girlfriend was employed by HMRC back in the 2000s the pcs was widely regarded as being as useful as a chocolate and their reps and officials were a known embarrassment and referred to as Communist cu*ts
ReplyDeleteBut, but, but...... posters on here keep telling us that all HMRC staff are extreme lefties. Why would they refer to communists as rude words?
DeleteHMRC and PCS deserve each other.
ReplyDeleteAll the bullying, sex abuse and other scandals in HMRC are on them
No they're not. All the offences "are on" the people who committed them.
DeleteHope HMRC have eventually decided to take employees medical records off the the desk on the floor. Even if you were off sick for a day everyone knew why. Anyone and everyone could read your personal records.People openly read aloud what was wrong with whoever and had such a laugh to fill gaps in their saddo lives. Now l did point it out to Inspector who said are you trying to start trouble l hope not!!!
DeleteWhat and where is "the desk on the floor". Is it any desk on any floor or a specific desk with the legs sawn off. Are the medical records held in drawers or on open display. Have they been printed- off the system or are they the original hardcopy. Is someone having a heavy cold hysterically funny.
DeleteThe post is so confusing.
Tell you what really amused them a new guy recovering from a brain tumour. Removed the brain and left the tumour isn't that hillarous.Or a employee sectioned in a mental health facility.. Gone to a nice place with padded wallpaper.OMG Frankie Boyle eat your heart out NOT
DeleteRe above @17.55. Basically l worked for Inland Revenue. My point is that there was no confidenality . The sickness records sat on desk of CA who noted absence. These were the original sick notes from doctor. They were never locked away just remained there.l believe even in those days personal information should have been protected.
ReplyDeleteNow that most personal information is kept online the Data Protection Act should cover the confidentiality issue. When I worked for HMRC staff were dismissed for accessing information on their computers which was not directly relevant to their job.
Delete@11.06 l am glad to hear that. Although l suspect from a higher grade details will be revealed in the pub. Sorry l do sound bitter because l am. Nowadays l don't trust anyone.Its not a comfortable feeling but HMRC destroyed my faith in mankind.
Delete"...HMRC destroyed my faith in mankind".
DeleteI understand HMRC are complete filth but you should always remember that their culture is not representative of "mankind".
I suffered relentless bullying from bitter colleagues at HMRC but would never allow that monster organisation to frame my view of people generally.
Get justice and try to move on with your life.
Remember: you are not alone and HMRC are the scumbags.
Please do consider seeking professional support to allow you to restore your faith in mankind.
"Complete filth".
Delete"Relentlessly bullying".
"Monster organisation".
"Scumbags".
This thread really is Snowflake Central.
Took a while for the snowflake comment but it was always coming from the bully boys and girls at HMRC. Predictable
DeleteNowhere near as predictable as your years of tedious whining without actually ever getting around to doing anything.
Delete@14:19 I was bullied by them as well and I'm not a snowflake.
DeleteIf they name a time and place, I'm more than happy to talk things through with the bullies, their enablers and their apologists.
Let's see who the snowflakes REALLY are? Spolier Alert: It's not this victim, I am more than aware that the COWARDLY BULLIES lost all their power the day I left the department.
You might have chosen to talk things through while you were still in the department.
DeleteThen the COWARDLY BULLIES might have lost their power before you left.
15.47. Don't get complacent in HMRC you could be next. The whining got results with Thompson review. Do you really think we didn't complain. Bullies will always be bullies have ammunition. Years ago l heard people complaining about being bullied in HMRC like you l thought do something. Brick wall syndrome in Inland Revenue. The longer you are there more chance of bullying .
DeleteShe's a genius this one. Jobs slashed one minute then spending monopoly money to recruit more.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't trust this one to manage an Ice Cream Van. Another week another hollow soundbite to put in the Red Top Press.
Hint: You can't put staff in the Office because there's not enough room. There used to be, but you closed them all.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/04/09/labour-rachel-reeves-hmrc-office-tax-customers/
£4.5 Million on Woke jobs.
ReplyDeleteRoles for Director of Box Ticking. Non Jobs and Woke Jobs, that's about your lot in HMRC. It'll be one less gong on the cupboard in Parliament Square
https://order-order.com/2024/04/10/hmrc-spending-4-5-million-on-woke-jobs/
At least he's honest.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/tax/hmrc-phone-line-closure-could-still-go-ahead-boss/