AFC0006

Written evidence submitted anonymously.

I worked for BT/Openreach for 17yrs during this time I went through a period of distress and had to use the services of the Communications Workers Union (CWU).

In 2015, our roles were changing repeatedly and my role at the time was a Fibre Planner.

We were being pulled from pillar to post told we were in new roles and had to move teams then told no we weren’t. I vented to a manager, and it caused a 5 week paid suspension and lots of meetings with the CWU.

I found that the company had signed prior to 2015, the Armed Forces Covenant (AFC) and vowed to understand and protect the Veterans in the company with I believe was in the thousands.

This was a lie. Management didn’t know about the AFC, nor did they care. I was diagnosed with PTSD during this period and sought counselling from Veterans Wales. On several occasions I had to explain what the AFC stood for. During this period the CWU sought advise about it from me for other Veterans who were being targeted and dismissed. On a couple of occasions I heard that Veterans who were Customer Service Engineers had struggled to leave their domiciles due their PTSD being severe. One particular case I was made aware of resulted in dismissal.

A friend of mine suffered with severe PTSD, we worked together because we could relate to each other. He was under H4H for treatment and Veterans Wales. A few times a year he would end up at the Battle Back Centre for treatment. He always met his targets and his work was impeccable. The final time he went to Battle Back he had to take it out of his leave entitlement. Management advised him he should be getting better. This increase his anxiety to a level of going on long term sick.

The CWU didn’t support him due to their ignorance of the AFC. Meeting recording and paperwork would get lost. This went on nearly 2 years. It ended a day before tribunal where the company admitted fault and unfair dismissal.

My friend was given a large payout and he moved on.

There was no training given to managers nor CWU and other support networks, not even an awareness. For a company who I believe is one of the biggest employers of ex-military personnel, it’s a disgrace.

During this time I was lucky enough to control my PTSD to a manageable level where I no longer have counselling. I left BT/Openreach after 17years and now work for the MoD.

20th February 2025