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/
Does anyone know what happened after appeal?
ReplyDeleteHopefully, it was not upheld.
DeleteAnyone in receipt of taxpayer funded monies deserves the sack if they have not fully complied with the rules.
Integrity is everything. Though seems to be an alien concept when it comes to HMRC.
Has anyone else heard that Inland Revenue/HMRC are being investigated against historical abuse of staff for sexual harassment in workplace and bullying. Told this by an ex colleague
ReplyDeleteNo, but interesting.
DeleteWho is doing the investigating?
Good luck with that one took years for Jimmy Saville etc and the post office scandal. The best that will happen to them is Karma a dish best served cold.
DeleteThe scandal at HMRC will make Jimmy Saville's behaviour look like nothing
DeleteSo Savile was a paedophile, rapist and necrophiliac protected over a period of decades by the police, media and political establishment.
DeleteAnd the "scandal at HMRC" will look like nothing compared to that?
Have you ever considered actually thinking for a couple of seconds because you post on here?
Have you worked for HMRC? Morals don't apply
DeleteYes I have worked for HMRC. And it is a horribly flawed organisation.
DeleteBut comparing HMRC to the Savile scandal is pure stupidity.
@17:01
DeleteI was severely abused while working at HMRC. The scars haunt me day and night. Lock up the abusers
You are now behaving quite hysterically.
DeleteThe almost unbelievably evil and perverted behaviour of Savile over many years can in no rational way be compared to workplace bullying.
I am sure that you are well aware of this.
Re 16.47 comment above. With due respect we don't know level of abuse suffered by person in 1.24 comment today. Verbal abuse especially if sexual is very hurtful.
DeleteYou are of course quite correct in pointing out that we don't know the level of abuse suffered by the poster. You are equally correct in saying that verbal abuse can be very hurtful indeed.
DeleteBut come on! Comparing verbal abuse in the workplace to the activities of a serial paedophile rapist is ludicrously over the top. To such an extent, indeed, that it risks trivialising complaints against HMRC.
And although I get tired of the repetition I have to ask again - if the poster really wants to "lock up the abusers" why don't they actually do something about it? They could start by giving their mountain of evidence to the police. I don't think any of us are holding our breath.
I worked in Inland Revenue for twenty years. The last two were hell on earth due to sexual harassment by my direct boss who encouraged others to join in. They were all wanting promotion so laughed etc.Two of the ones are now at top of HMRC.I will say this again evidence evidence evidence . You don't have friends in that place they are all frenemies.Do you think any decent person who would do that to a colleague they knew for years that they would hold their hands up .You are fighting a loosing battle.I do take on board your comparison to Saville but my abuse was horrendous and took place in plain sight.
DeleteBefore I retired from HMRC in 2014 I had many friends in the department who were, and are, decent, honourable, law-abiding people.
DeleteThere is no way that they, or I, would stand by and accept illegal behaviour in the office, let alone join in.
I obviously didn't work in your office so can't comment but you shouldn't tar everyone with the same brush.
You were very very lucky.
DeleteI don't think that I was particularly lucky.
DeleteI just worked in a normal office.
I worked in a 'normal office'. My abusers worked in a 'normal office'. My abusers even looked 'normal'. Shock. But what they did to me was the most disgusting, degrading thing any human being could do. Abuse hide in plain sight within the corrosive environment of HMRC
DeleteGot you perfectly said.
Delete"what they did to me was the most disgusting, degrading thing any human being could
Deletedo".
Really????
I mean, literally????
This does seem just a tad over the top.
Thank God it didn't happen to you. Then you might understand
DeleteI always say you don't understand anything until it happens to you.
Oh really. Is it over the top to object to being abused, body and mind, by disgusting abusers inside HMRC?
DeleteReally? Ahhh, I get you, you're minimising my suffering for some kind of personal enjoyment. Sicko
If you actually bothered to read my post you would clearly see that I'm not trying to get any "personal enjoyment" out of your hyperbole.
DeleteYou have put the behaviour of your former managers and colleagues at HMRC on a par with that of Adolf Hitler, Josef Stalin, Idi Amin, Genghis Khan, Marquis De Sade, Moors Murderers, Yorkshire Ripper, etc, etc etc.
You are a self-obsessed narcissist.
If one of us is a "sicko" then it's definitely not me.
@11:39
DeleteWith respect, coming at this as a neutral observer, you do appear rather unstable and a complete narcissist.
I have never seen anyone equate the nasty bullying culture at HMRC with Hitler etc etc. Lovely attempt to deflect attention away from your beloved HMRC though.
Please seek help, for your own good. Doctor can probably give you pills 💊 💊 🤡 Try to show love, not hate. Certainly sounds like HMRC have damaged you 😘
@13:11.
DeleteAlways nice to hear from a neutral observer, sweetheart 🤣🤣.
"What they did to me was the MOST disgusting, degrading thing ANY HUMAN BEING could do". Not my words, you quaint little chap.
As I have said on here many times, if people have genuine complaints against HMRC then there is a much greater chance of them being taken seriously if they don't use such over the top language. This tends to make a genuinely neutral observer just switch off.
PS trying to ridicule someone who is arguing you into a cocked hat really isn't a good look. Tends to make you look rather petty and spiteful.
PPS two almost identical posts in 34 minutes - obsessed, moi!!!!
I hope so l will tell my story of abuse by direct boss in front of everyone
ReplyDeleteRe 10/05@ 10.15. I am not trying to disrespect you but look at Kevin Spacey. Got off with abuse now up again. You say bring yo court noone brought Saville to court. Why evidence
ReplyDeleteKevin Spacey was formally charged with sexual offences in two different countries. He was found not liable in the USA, and in the UK was found not guilty by a jury. So he did not 'get off' with anything - he was found not guilty after due legal process.
DeleteHe is not "now up again". A TV programme has made allegations against him. These may or may not result in further court cases. If they do then he may or may not be found not guilty again. This is how the law works.
I know that Savile was not brought to court, that's why I posted that he was protected by the police, media and political establishment over a period of decades.
Why evidence? Because if you take a case to court and produce no evidence it will be dismissed by the judge. This is how the law works.
I still have absolutely no idea what Savile and Spacey have to do with HMRC.
Abuse in plain sight
DeleteI worked there aswell early 90s. Abuse abuse abuse .I trained new people l helped people struggling etc. I was targeted by my boss who was so insecure when he got a laugh about me saying of course l will say yes to a junior getting a day off said lat's what l heard we all laughed one off joke. Everyday abuse with immature 19 year olds thinking this was funny
ReplyDeleteabuse sexual abuse by this so called man who had two daughters.Did he not realise l would go home to family and tell report him pervert etc. My late mother worse you could be married to that. Karma to you you sad sod and all your minions.
I do feel for you. Speaking from the perspective of working in accountancy, within offices large and small, such behaviour would never be allowed. Did any of you report the beasts working within HMRC/Customs & Excise to the police. Their behaviour is worryingly dangerous, and if they act like that at work, what do they do to their husbands and wives at home etc etc...
DeleteYou have no idea. Personally outside l think they act normal as noone would tolerate Inland Revenue HMRC abuse that occurs in offices.l think they take out their frustrations at work.They know complaining doesn't get you anywhere and you need the money.l was horrified to learn one of the abusers is now in mental health and director. Please!!! Probably gets off listening to other people's misery.
DeleteI just want to add this comment to everyone who was abused by Inland Revenue/HMRC. I totally take on board the abuse. Having suffered the ridiculous unacceptable abuse l wholeheartedly understand everyone's emotions. Abusers are calculated damaged people who choose to inflict abuse on people for sport. You are wrong you ruined lives. How the hell can you find happiness in other people's misery you caused. That's it now. Thanks for listening l needed to vent that as l am sure other people abused need to
ReplyDeleteI see the resident nutter - aka the HMRC bullying denier / gaslighting loser - has been spouting lies and hate again... 🙄🤒🥜🌰
ReplyDelete