Facebook venting employee reinstated

schumi

schumi

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Durban - A large national logistics company should not have fired a Durban manager for “venting” on Facebook after she heard she faced possible retrenchment– but instead should have given her counselling.

A long-serving customer relations manager at Value Logistics, Lynn Robertson, was reinstated by an arbitrator who ruled that she was obviously highly traumatised, and her posting was “an expression of hurt” .

“Retrenchment is a traumatic event in the working life of any individual … it is not uncommon for workers to suffer from depression and in some instances feel suicidal,” said Leon Pillay, a commissioner for the National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight Industry who arbitrated in the recent matter between Robertson and Value Logistics.

“Support from friends and family is most needed and her posting on Facebook was an attempt to receive that,” he said.

“While it is understandable that the company would want to avoid panic amongst other employees by requesting confidentiality, it seems unfair that during such a traumatic time, she should be prevented from discussing the matter with friends or others who could offer support.”

Robertson, who is suffering from cancer, had worked for the company since 1994 and was dismissed at the end of April this year at a time when she was being consulted by human resources manager Ruth Sibisi about possible retrenchment “for operational reasons”.

“She was surprised and upset at the prospect,” Pillay said in his written ruling. She disclosed to the HR manager that she had cancer, her husband was a pensioner, she was concerned about medical aid, and she was concerned about her future because she only had five years to go until retirement.”

A few days later, while on Facebook with friends who were former employees of the same company, she posted: “Amazing ladies, I have been retrenched by Jill Whittle and Ci. 20 yeRs and now good bye, no prior notification (sic).”

At a disciplinary hearing the company accused her of gross misconduct, alleging she had defamed the senior employee, provided untrue or misleading information, had caused disruptions in the workplace and brought the company’s name into disrepute in a public forum.

Whittle denied being involved in the retrenchment process and refused to accept Robertson’s apology.

Robertson was found guilty and dismissed.
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More at http://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-courts/facebook-venting-employee-reinstated-1.1922761#.VguEtH2-Opo
 
Well the company's name is NOW brought into disrepute in the public, but certainly not by their employee's actions, but their own.
 
Value Logistics company culture is actually disgusting. The article doesn't surprise me at all.
A close relative of mine (and a couple friends) worked at their JHB office.
Employees were discouraged (banned) from using the CEO's bathroom.
Coffee and tea weren't replenished after the budgeted amounts were finished each month (so employees were bringing their own).
Even toilet paper was regulated i.e. when the budgeted toilet paper runs out for the week, it doesn't get replenished. Ladies at the office were getting bladder infections from holding it in the entire day.
 
eehellfire said:
Value Logistics company culture is actually disgusting. The article doesn't surprise me at all.
A close relative of mine (and a couple friends) worked at their JHB office.
Employees were discouraged (banned) from using the CEO's bathroom.
Coffee and tea weren't replenished after the budgeted amounts were finished each month (so employees were bringing their own).
Even toilet paper was regulated i.e. when the budgeted toilet paper runs out for the week, it doesn't get replenished. Ladies at the office were getting bladder infections from holding it in the entire day.
Click to expand...

Coffee I kind of get but no toilet paper is disgusting.
 
Being banned from using the CEO's toilet would be understandable IMO, unless that's the only loo available to the entire company.
 
eehellfire said:
Coffee and tea weren't replenished after the budgeted amounts were finished each month (so employees were bringing their own).
Click to expand...

We actually want to start doing this in our offices. It's not fair that some employees only use one spoonful of sugar and others use six.
If they all got their allocation each month, then those who use more would be forced to bring their own or swap with the others.
 
envo said:
Being banned from using the CEO's toilet would be understandable IMO, unless that's the only loo available to the entire company.
Click to expand...

Why is there a distinction at all? So that the CEO's bathroom can be better maintained, because he's like super important?

Our CEO uses the same bathroom as everyone else...
 
Yes the coffee, tea, sugar & milk I can understand but not toilet paper. Where I work the floor employees get allocated a big tin of coffee, 2.5kg sugar, box of tea bags, box of coffee creamer for the month. Some take the things home for use there while others keep for work breaks. Some share one person's stuff and do a stokvel like thing with the rest. They get allocated enough to last more than 2 months.
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
Why is there a distinction at all? So that the CEO's bathroom can be better maintained, because he's like super important?

Our CEO uses the same bathroom as everyone else...
Click to expand...

envo said:
Being banned from using the CEO's toilet would be understandable IMO, unless that's the only loo available to the entire company.
Click to expand...
It's the only toilet / bathroom in that wing. Everyone else has to use another floor.
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
Why is there a distinction at all? So that the CEO's bathroom can be better maintained, because he's like super important?

Our CEO uses the same bathroom as everyone else...
Click to expand...

Don't get that either only time it'd make sense is if it is ensuite. I know Eskom used to have ensuite offices not sure if it is still the case.
 
eehellfire said:
Value Logistics company culture is actually disgusting. The article doesn't surprise me at all.
A close relative of mine (and a couple friends) worked at their JHB office.
Employees were discouraged (banned) from using the CEO's bathroom.
Coffee and tea weren't replenished after the budgeted amounts were finished each month (so employees were bringing their own).
Even toilet paper was regulated i.e. when the budgeted toilet paper runs out for the week, it doesn't get replenished. Ladies at the office were getting bladder infections from holding it in the entire day.
Click to expand...

It would be hilarious if a Logistics company can not manage their own supply of coffee and toilet paper....
 
Rationing toilet paper, seriously? That's gotta be grounds for a lawsuit of some kind.

In my experience, companies that start cutting costs at the bottom line either have a problem with employee theft that is not being addressed, or the superiors are taking home so much cash that they're completely out of touch with the "plebians".
 
I worked for a company where the boss was too cheap to provide toilet paper....
 
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