LTB 474/2021 – Royal Mail Dog Attack Compensation Scheme – Extension to Parcelforce and a Reminder About The Scheme
No. 474/2021
9 November 2021
Our Ref: P18/21
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
Royal Mail Dog Attack Compensation Scheme – Extension to Parcelforce and a Reminder About The Scheme:
Previous Letters to Branches LTB 498/18 and 271/21 refer.
Discussions have been taking place to resolve an anomaly in the Royal Mail Dog Attack Compensation Scheme and I’m pleased to report that the matter has been resolved with agreement that the scheme has now been formally extended to cover Parcelforce members with immediate effect.
The Dog Attack Compensation Scheme historically refers to Royal Mail and in the past, Parcelforce have told employees who are unfortunate enough to be attacked by a dog that the scheme is for Royal Mail postmen and women only and doesn’t apply in Parcelforce for parcel collection and delivery staff going to the same addresses.
A REMINDER TO ALL!
It often comes to our attention in the Health, Safety & Environment Department that many Branch Reps and members who are injured in dog attacks and are subsequently off work with injuries sustained in dog attacks are not aware of this scheme and do not make applications for Dog Attack Compensation which they may be entitled to benefit from.
If injured and off work sick as a result of a dog attack, benefits are available to members under the Royal Mail and Parcelforce ‘Dog Attack Compensation Scheme’. The scheme pays compensation amounting to the difference between full rate sick pay and an individual’s average weekly earnings over the previous 13 weeks prior to the dog attack incident.
This is paid out regardless of any personal injury litigation compensation which may be recovered by the Union solicitors acting for the member.
The updated Royal Mail and Parcelforce – ‘Dog Attack Compensation Scheme’ claim form is attached which branches can print off and keep available in the branch office for members when needed.
The form can also be located on Royal Mail Group’s PSP system or by contacting HR Services. If a manager requires a copy of the form they can type in ‘Dog Attack Compensation’ on the company intranet system and the form will appear under the searches.
Royal Mail and Parcelforce ‘Dog Attack Compensation Scheme’ Conditions are:
- 1 week minimum sick absence must be incurred in order to qualify to submit a claim.
- A maximum of 13 weeks average earnings will be paid out whilst an individual is off work sick following a dog attack.
- Christmas and summer pressure periods and annual leave periods will be excluded from the average earnings calculation.
REMEMBER AND IMPORTANT:
- Report all dog attacks to management.
- Following dog attack injuries, suspend deliveries.
- Report all dog attacks to the Security Helpdesk 020 7239 6655 or email: securityhelpdesk@royalmail.com.
- Record details of every dog attack on the ‘USO SharePoint site’.
- Record all dog attack injuries on ‘ERICA’.
- Report all dog attacks to the Police and get a ‘Crime Number’.
- Report all dog attacks to the Local Authority Dog Warden or officer responsible for Dog Nuisance and Anti-Social Behaviour issues.
- Update WRAP (Walk Risk Assessment Platform) and the Walk Log at the Delivery Office.
- If the member is injured, complete a CWU LS3 Form and submit it to the Union’s Legal Services Department who will instruct the Union’s lawyers to investigate and consider making a compensation claim.
- Make an application under the Royal Mail Dog Attack Compensation Scheme (application form attached).
- IMPORTANT: If victims are asked by the Police to agree that the dog owner can be dealt with via an ‘informal’ Warning’ or ‘Community Resolution’ without recourse to formal criminal justice sanctions – they SHOULD NOT AGREE TO IT. A number of members who have agreed to such sanctions shortly after a dog attack have later changed their mind but have been prevented from allowing the matter to be taken further via a formal prosecution of the dog owner.
All enquiries regarding the above should be sent to Dave Joyce CWU National Health and Safety Officer at CWU/HQ.
ATTACHMENTS:
- Dog Attack Compensation Claim Form
- Schedule of Authorised Allowances Guide
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer