BRT&G CLARIFICATION ON THE CRITERIA OF PAYMENT OF LUMP SUM AND ESCROW MONEY
No. 252/23
4th October 2023
Dear Colleagues,
BRT&G CLARIFICATION ON THE CRITERIA OF PAYMENT OF £500 LUMP SUM AND ADDITIONAL ONE-OFF PAYMENT OF £1,007
Numerous enquiries have been received from Branches and members in relation to the non-payment of either the £500 lump sum, the additional £1,007 lump sum or both payments. As a result of these complaints, it was obvious these were not isolated incidents. The enquiries predominately fell into the following categories:
Members who are on precautionary suspension;
Members on maternity/paternity leave;
Members who have left RMG employment after 4th August;
Members who resigned prior to 4th August but were in post at the end of September;
Members on sabbatical / career break.
I ensured this matter was raised swiftly with the business, by writing to the Chief People Officer on 27th September 2023 requesting an investigation into the queries we had received. Naturally, I also sought that any outstanding monies should be paid to those who met the eligibility criteria. Following this, a list of names has also been sent to the National IR Director on a daily basis providing a cross section of members falling into each category.
A positive response was received earlier today confirming the following is now being used for qualification of the £500 / £1,007 lump sum payments.
For the £1,007, members need to have been employed on or before 26th March 2023 and in employment on 4th August 2023;
For the lump sum £500 payment members need to have been in an eligible grade in employment on 4th August 2023;
Members leaving after 4th August and before the payment date of 29th September will be eligible for both payments.
In addition, the following criteria for qualification/non-qualification of the payments is being used:
Members on Precautionary Suspension qualify for both payments;
Members who left the business before 4th August – do not qualify for payments;
Members who left on or after 5th Aug – qualify for both payments assuming they are a good leaver (i.e. not dismissed);
Paid family friendly leave (shared parental, maternity, paternity, adopted leave) – qualify for both payments;
Career Break – payment made on the member’s return to work upon request;
Unpaid family friendly leave (shared parental, maternity, paternity, adopted leave) – payment made on return to work upon request;
Future leavers exiting with Voluntary Redundancy and Settlement Agreement package – qualify for the £500 lump sum only.
I am pleased to report RMG has now confirmed that all errors in processing these lump sums will be corrected in accordance with the eligibility criteria above with all outstanding payments being made on either 13th October (weekly paid) or 31st October (monthly paid).
Any enquiries in relation to the contents of this LTB should be addressed to the DGS(P).
Yours sincerely,
Andy Furey
A/Deputy General Secretary (Postal)