Postal Issues with Inert Ordnance

[commachio]

Without going into to many details a worrying story.

A legitimate collector has recently been suspended as the company he/she works for found an 'inert grenade' addressed to them in the post. This is still ongoing and pending a full investigation. It is further alleged that the employer has had to call the Police.

The unfortunate effect, other than potential loss of job and earnings in an economic downturn, is that yet again people privacy privaledges are being ignored. Whatever happened to the rights of the individual to collect inert ordnance? Furthermore whatever happened to the rights of an individual to recieve post UNOPENED. Businesses have a moral and ethical right to ensure that employees receiving any post in the workplace have a right to expect that their privacy will be safeguarded. This is being breached.

I'll update on how the case goes....

I would love everyone's thoughts on this. Has anyone experienced an issue resulting in suspension or dismissal?

 

[peteblight]

In my previous job within the MOD, we never received any post. It was all opened on arrival, scanned and all we got was an email with a scanned image of the contents!!!

 

[US-Subs]

I don't know about the UK, but in many/most areas if it is addressed to the individual through their workplace they have limited or no expectations of privacy, or "rights". The address belongs to the company, it is their business, you are putting them at a (perceived or actual) risk. Most organisations with a moderate number of staff members have a clear policy on receipt of private mail and packages in the workplace, I know that there is one where I work. We are allowed to received certain types of mail within particular boundaries, but even then are warned that we have no expectations of privacy. The organisation/company has rights as well, it is their business and they are often held liable for workplace safety.

 

[US-Subs]

In my previous job within the MOD, we never received any post. It was all opened on arrival, scanned and all we got was an email with a scanned image of the contents!!!

How's the weather there Pete? 15 here and raining.

 

[pointblank0]

I worked, many years ago as a security guard at a British Gas office block. All post coming in was X rayed in the post room. I used to get ordnance delivered there as I always seemed to be at work and it would save me a trip to the post office. I did used to explain to the post room staff what I waas expecting though

 

[commachio]

Understandable why companies may want to scan, x-ray etc. But to be suspended and probably fired for using the company postal system is simple rediculous. The employee accidentally left the paypal address set to the company as he/she purchased something for the company previously. I feel for them......

 

[dano1917]

The moral to this story is never ever have your inert ordnance mailed to your workplace. when it comes to the workplac there has never been much privacy and it gets worse as time goes on. It is easy to understand how a mis-understanding might take place if inert ordnance is mailed to your place of employment even if it is to your attention. Keep it simple and keep it at home. Dano

 

[LCplCombat]

He doesnt have a right to collect inert ordnance.

There is nothing in British law that states we are allowed to collect inert ordnance without interference from the authorities. It isn't illegal to collect but its not a "right" in law. A "right" is something specific and defined by statute.

As to getting it delivered to your work address, Imagine if you were the postal clerk (and you dont know the first thing about ordnance) and found a grenade in the post. A bit of common sense would be to ask the employer if it was ok to receive inert ordnance at work, explaining that you collected it and didn't want the hassle of having to go to the post office after hours to collect it and that it was safe.

Businesses have a moral and ethical right to ensure that employees receiving any post in the workplace have a right to expect that their privacy will be safeguarded

No they don't. The post office does but when it is delivered to the address, that is the end of their responsibility.

 

[hangarman]

How's the weather there Pete? 15 here and raining.

Its snowing here at the moment but i expect it to have stopped by the morning. I do wish it would cease snowing and let the sun out. We need some sunshine.
Hangarman

 

[Jolly Green]

The workplace is NOT a Democracy. Even here in the US.

 

[proditto]

Parcels

In this day of letter bombs and parcel bombs many organizations automatically scan mail. If an image of a grenade apeared then the bomb squad (and the police)would be automatically called. Having any ordnance sent to a company address is iresponsible. The company has the right to protect it's employee by opening suspect mail.