The DGS(P) wrote to Royal Mail in March 2016 to request that periods of absence accumulated by employees whilst serving in the Armed Forces should be classed as reckonable service. This follows reports of a case of an employee who, despite being employed by Royal Mail for 20 years, was told his reckonable service had been reduced (and therefore his entitlement to 6 weeks annual leave) because of the time he had spent serving in Iraq during the Gulf War.

Following the Union’s representations, Royal Mail said that having reviewed the numbers affected they would agree to take account of any Armed Forces leave in calculating reckonability going forward. However, Royal Mail said this could only be done from April 2011 onwards when a new payroll system was introduced.

After further representations to the business, I am pleased to report that Royal Mail have now confirmed that any current employees who had undertaken unpaid time off as a reservist whilst part of Royal Mail prior to April 2011 can contact their HR Services team who will review any impact on their annual holiday on a case by case basis.

Branches should therefore draw individuals’ attention to the new arrangements and the ability of individuals to ensure that any unpaid time off as a reservist whilst working at Royal Mail will not impact unfavourably on their annual holiday entitlement.