Mail sorter loses claim for bullying

The High Court has dismissed a mail sorter’s claims she was subjected to a campaign of bullying and harassment which left her “terrified” about returning to her job in a Dublin sorting centre, the High Court heard.

Joanne Rundle, aged 38, Shanliss Avenue, Santry, Dublin, sued An Post over what she claims was bullying between 2005 and 2006 at the Dublin Mails Centre (DMC) in Clondalkin, Dublin, where 850 people are employed.

She claimed she was subjected to a “relentless campaign of mean and spiteful behaviour” which caused her severe anxiety and left her out of work for lengthy periods and “terrified” about returning to the DMC.

An Post denied her claims. She is currently working with An Post, in the GPO in Dublin.

High Court President Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns in his judgment said based on the evidence before the court he could not make a finding that Ms Rundle was bullied in her workplace, and therefore dismissed the claim.

He said he found accounts given during the hearing on behalf of witnesses for An Post to be “more credible” than accounts given on behalf of the plaintiff.

The judge also noted An Post had made considerable efforts to address Ms Rundle’s health problems by moving her from the DMC to a position at a facility at Dublin Airport, which was seen as a good place to work.

The judge noted Ms Rundle claimed she had been working for nearly five years as a post sorter at the DMC when in mid-2005 she was subjected to bullying after she made a complaint to her union representative. Between 2005 and March 2006, she said, she was treated differently to her colleagues.

The alleged bullying included persistent and deliberate staring, pestering, humiliation in front of colleagues, aggressive behaviour, verbal abuse and attempts to undermine her role.

However, the judge said he did not accept she had been bullied, but had been spoken to by different supervisors for a number of what might be perceived minor matters.

In all the circumstances the judge said he could not make a finding of bullying against An Post and had to dismiss her claim. The judge adjourned the case to next week when the issue of costs is to be decided.

The judge urged An Post to give considered thought before seeking legal costs, given Ms Rundle still works for the organisation.